IN Magazine May/June 2013 by IN Magazine

FASHION: summer bags & accessories | Survey results for top six outdoor living features

pg. 130

May/June 2013 | Complimentary Copy

HOSPITALITY BY THE GLASSFUL:

East Texas vineyards look to become destination locations.

Larose guitars:

Tyler guitar luthier puts soul into his art.

Rising again:

Renovating the people's bank building

uncorked flavor

Summer recipes aimed to please your palate.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

The future of cancer treatment

is here The most advanced generation of cancer therapy is here — at ETMC. It’s called TrueBeam and it provides more noninvasive options for treating complex cases such as those in the lung, liver, prostate, breast, abdomen, head and neck. TM

Patients benefit from TrueBeam’s ability to deliver powerful cancer treatments with pinpoint accuracy and speed. It also • allows doctors to customize treatment plans • compensates for patient breathing and movement • tracks the tumor in real time for precise imaging and therapy • forms the radiation beam to match the size and shape of nearly any tumor • destroys cancer cells while protecting the surrounding healthy tissue • minimizes patient discomfort and maximizes convenience by taking only minutes per treatment

To learn more about TrueBeam, contact the ETMC Cancer Institute at 903-595-5550 or visit www.etmc.org. Free iPhone app

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

A not-for-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life in East Texas communities. www.etmc.org

One with East Texas.

Out here in East Texas, many beautiful sounds are a part of our daily lives. One sound in particular, though, is sweet music to our ears. When you hear the resounding ring of the Bell of Hope at UT Health Northeast Cancer Treatment and Prevention Center, it means cancer patients have finished their prescribed course of treatment. If hope could make a sound, it would sound a whole lot like the Bell of Hope. Healing just feels better out here.

UTHEALTH.ORG

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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IN Magazine | May/June 2013

6 From the Editor

arts & technology

dwell

12 14 18 22 26

68 Showcase Home: Rooms with a view 80 Trends: Outdoor living features 90 Do it Yourself: Collective Consciousness

126 Tough Mudder 130 Camping Guide: Texas State Parks Camping 136 Navigating the Neches

features

live healthy

30 Hospitality By The Glassful: East Texas Vineyards 40 Brewing Your Own Culture: Local Coffee Roasters 46 Rising Again: People's Bank

96 No Hungry Children: Faith-driven organization feeds African children 98 Little Wrangler: Child perseveres through rare disease 103 Ditch the Diet Gimmicks

138 Spirituality: A Miraculous Creation

Tech: Social Watch Artist Feature: Todd D'Agostino Artist Feature: Tiffany Petty Comedy: East Texas Comedy Book Reviews: Summer Reading

style 54 Summer Fashion: Summer handbags & accessories 62 Go-to-Girl: Your best Summer yet

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

food & culture Featured on the cover 106 Recipe Ideas: Uncorked Flavor 110 The Dining Guide 114 High Standards: Young woman aspires to be a pilot 118 Calendar of Events 122 Travel: Family Friendly Shreveport

outdoors

Web Extra:

www.inmagtexas.com

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“Uniquely Tyler” May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

From the Editor

Your Voice

y name is Danny Mogle. I’m the new editor of IN Magazine. Many of you are old friends whom I’ve picked up from working 27 years as a writer and editor at the Tyler Morning Telegraph. For those who don’t know me, I’m a native of Whitehouse. I attended Tyler Junior College, have a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in communication from The University of Texas at Tyler. My wife, Melanie, and I live in Gresham with our twin sons, Alexander and Jacob. I’ve been writing about East Texans most of my life. When I started working at the newspaper, originally as an intern, I was a baby – I was 19 and had just finished my freshman year at TJC. Now that my sons are 19, I realize how young and innocent I really was. Being a journalist is a great job. I meet fascinating people passionate about what they do. They continue to delight and surprise me. I learn a lot about life from the people I encounter. This is what I learned about some of the people you will read about in this edition of IN Magazine. In a small workshop in Tyler, Todd D’Agostino makes some of the finest guitars in the world. That’s a good reason to boast, but he doesn’t. He makes guitars because craftsmanship still matters, because he comes alive when he gives instruments a soul and because his heart wouldn’t let him do anything else. Todd reminded me that it’s important to let joy guide your life. I talked to two men who conquer Tough Mudder – a cross-country challenge filled with insanely difficult obstacles. That’s a good reason to boast, but they don’t. They take on the challenge because it requires participants get help from others and then turn around and help someone else. They reminded me that we need one another to get over life’s obstacles. I interviewed Pierre deWet, owner of Kiepersol Enterprises. He heads one of the most successful wineries in the state. That’s a good reason to boast, but he doesn’t. He says he founded Kiepersol to provide a way for he, his daughters and grandchildren to all live together in a beautiful place.

Danny Mogle Editor of IN Magazine. Pierre reminded me that family counts the most. I interviewed Dr. Michael Banks, a successful dentist in Jacksonville, who, along with many others, has fought to preserve the Neches River as natural habitat. During a canoe trip down the Neches, they (as well as the river itself) reminded me that God’s creations are beautiful and valuable and that we have an obligation to preserve nature. Thank you one and all. I can’t wait for you to learn more about these interesting people through the stories in this edition and I can’t wait for what is in store for me next as editor of IN.

Danny Mogle Editor

This month’s IN Magazine is completely top notch. From the great photo images, graphic design, the writing (Andy Taylor’s article on the Fix It Place is pure genius), the creative and eye-pleasing ads—all combine to make a rich magazine. I am proud to have been a writer for what has continually been a great publication and it seems the goal of the staff is to constantly outdo yourselves every month—quite an admirable and appreciated goal. Wishing you all the best and cheering your efforts onward and upward! Larry Pittman Goddard, Ph.D. I just wanted to drop you a note and say “Thank you!” for listing our Palestine events in your magazine. It has helped us so much! Thank you for supporting the East Texas area and Palestine in particular!! Laura Westgate Main Street Manager - Visitor Center Manager

Enjoy reading IN? Tell us about it. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of IN Magazine. Please let us know what you think about our bi-monthly publication by sending your comments to, danny@ inmagtexas.com.

Find us on Facebook or send us a tweet. www.INmagTexas.com

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Copeland Insurance Group

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

INmagTexas.com May/June 2013

Publications Manager | Shannon Dorsey 903.596.6369 • sdorsey@inmagtexas.com Editor | Danny Mogle 903.596.6278 • danny@inmagtexas.com Sales Executive | Renee Luker 903.596.6259 • rluker@inmagtexas.com Sales Executive | Dawn Rhodes 903.596.6354 • drhodes@inmagtexas.com Regional Sales Executive | Lindsay Hanks 903.596.6209 • lindsay@inmagtexas.com Regional Sales Executive | Rhonda Smith 903.596.6210 • rhonda@inmagtexas.com Creative Director & Graphic Designer | Patrick Lissner 903.596.6347 • patrick@inmagtexas.com

136 106

Contributing Writers: Jennifer Babisak, Crystal Breaux, Nick Buske, Rebecca Hoeffner, Jo Lee Ferguson, Brittany McCaughan, Jim Laws, Lea Rittenhouse, Steve Knight, Danny Mogle, Casey Murphy, Stewart Smith, Andy Taylor, David Wallace Photographers: Chris Pound, Sarah A. Miller, Herb Nygren Jr., Danny Mogle, CJ White, Jennifer Babisak, Steve Knight, Andrew Arceri Fashion Coordinator & Stylist | Alex Becnel Models: Tiandra Wiggs, Alethia Sweeting © TBB Printing, Inc., 2013

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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arts & technology

Technology

> Social Watch, 12

Art

> Artist Feature: Todd D'Agostino, 14 Tiffany Petty, 18 >Comedy: East Texas Comedy, 22

Review

Local artist Tiffany Petty. Photo by Chris Pound.

> Summer Reading, 26

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Socialwatch

Pebble smart watch syncs with your life via Bluetooth technology.

By NICK BUSKE

My high school physics teacher, Mr. Skarovsky, was a great instructor. A little off his rocker, for sure, but an excellent teacher, nonetheless. His deep understanding and love of physics was inspiring to students with an open mind. If I had to trace the origins of my fascination with science and technology, it would be to this kooky cowboy with a limp and a crooked smile. Quite vividly, I remember sitting in his class and watching Operation Desert Storm on the 19-inch television set hanging from the ceiling. The broadcast of the military campaign was my first brush with the word “smart” as it pertained to technology. Newscasters were droning on about the Smart Bomb, which — unlike its ignorant siblings guided only by gravity — is guided by a laser. Now “smart” is overzealously applied to many technologies. We’ve got smart phones, smart cars, and smart homes, to name a few. From the advertising viewpoint, there are dumb versions of these things that consumers certainly don’t want to own. We pony up hard-earned cash to buy smart stuff, because it feels like … well … the intelligent thing to do. So, how would you feel about paying $150 for a plastic smart watch? Yes, a watch — the thing on your wrist that displays time and can be purchased in dumb form for $10 at any drugstore. What could you gain in return for paying so much more for an enlightened timepiece? Please, allow me. Visiting www.getpebble.com, you can buy the Pebble e-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android. Sounds smart. It’s digital screen is unbelievably readable in bright sunshine. Looks smart. And it receives notifications via Bluetooth from your iPhone or Android phone. Actually is smart! And it keeps excellent time, just like its intellectually-challenged brethren. But, how’s the experience? Switching on Pebble the first time reveals an onscreen text with instructions on how to begin the setup, which is a breeze through, what else, an app. It guides you through Bluetooth pairing, the true brainpower of this smart watch. Without wireless connection to your iPhone or Android phone, Pebble is just a glorified, geeky Casio wristwatch. With the Bluetooth connection, you never have to set your watch’s time, because, as long as it’s within a 90-foot radius of your phone, Pebble is in sync with your beloved telecommunication device. But, surely you wouldn’t spend $150 on a smart watch just to bypass fiddling with those wretched, minuscule analog

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

"The Bluetooth link between Pebble and your phone gives you the seemingly Olympian power to control the musical atmosphere from your wrist."

Bluetooth Sync The watch will vibrate and display data for incoming caller ID and text messages. That's awesome. My iPhone lives in my pocket most of the day, so Pebble's wristview data delivery eliminates the need to pull my phone out to read a random “Big Lebowski” quote from my sister.

dials on dumb watches. Alas, Pebble has a few more valuable tricks up its sleeve and promises many more to come. The watch will vibrate and display data for incoming caller ID and text messages. That’s awesome. My iPhone lives in my pocket most of the day, so Pebble’s wristview data delivery eliminates the need to pull my phone out to read a random “Big Lebowski” quote from my sister. On the other hand, if the prize patrol people are calling, Pebble will display that information and give me the chance to accept the call from the watch — just in case I can’t get the phone out my pocket quickly enough to claim my millions in rewards. In theory, Pebble will receive all of your phone messages (texts, emails, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) which could get quite annoying. However, there is a software limitation (at least in iOS) which pushes only text messages and caller ID. I hope that the Pebble app will eventually allow users to choose which kinds of notifications are passed to the watch. Notifications are great, but there’s more! Music lovers, rejoice. Your wristtop remote control has arrived. If you’re not using special ear buds to control your music, then Pebble smart watch is an effortless way to pause, play, fast forward or rewind tracks from which play is initiated on your phone. This little feature could be a big hit when entertaining in your home and the party’s music is courtesy of your phone — whether that’s wirelessly via something akin to AirPlay technology or if the phone is in a stereo dock. The Bluetooth link between Pebble and your phone gives you the seemingly Olympian power to control the musical atmosphere from your wrist. Just don’t wander too far outside of 90 feet from your phone or your guests will learn its Achille’s heel. As app developers familiarize themselves with Pebble smart watch, we will see tighter integration with smartphone apps, such as those that track running and cycling workouts and act as golf rangefinders. Glancing to your wrist for important information is a novelty now but, the Pebble of today is like the iPhone of 2007, it is heads and shoulders above its category’s current technology. My hope is that the company can improve the design and functionality quickly enough to compete with big boys, Samsung and Apple, which are rumored to be working on smart watches and could soon drop their own figurative smart bombs on Pebble. And as much as I enjoy backing the little guy, I also have a weakness for Apple gear. Luckily, I have two wrists. For more tech news and reviews, visit www.inmagtexas.com and click on Arts & Tech.

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TYLER GUITAR LUTHIER PUTS HIS SOUL INTO HIS ART.

TODD 14

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

D’Agostino’s face is inches from where a router is carving a pattern into a block of wood. Shavings are flying everywhere. Some land in his uncombed hair. He doesn’t care. His eyes remain intense as

happy with his choices of secular music. Many of the cuts featured full-throttle guitars. D’Agostino remembers playing it over and over, mesmerized by the intensity and range of the sound. As a young man, he went through a series of dead-end jobs that he could care less about before he landed a job at Hamer Guitars, a manufacturer in Bloomfield, Conn. At Hamer, he was introduced to the science, engineering and artistry required to make a stringed instrument. “I had found my calling,” says D’Agostino. He often showed up to work early, hours before anyone else arrived in the mornings, so he could fine-tune his guitar-making skills. “It (the building process) spoke to me.” In 2005, he set out on his own, convinced that by using the finest ingredients on earth and giving each guitar the love and care it deserved, he could make instruments that were better than those Hamer was churning out. D’Agostino

said “yes” to the guitar and later “yes” when he asked her to marry him. D’Agostino relocated to Tyler. He now travels on tour with Eisley as its road manager. If you see Eisley in concert, you can bet the guitars they are playing come from the hands of D’Agostino.

GREAT WOOD

Every great guitar starts with a great piece of wood. “I use the best possible wood money can buy,” he says, leaning over a work table. “I want the best of the best of the best.” He pulls out a panel of quilted maple. The grain pattern is gorgeous. It almost appears to be shimmering. He pulls out another panel of wood that looks great except for a small dark blemish – a flaw. He refuses to use it. It’s going back to the supplier. It’s not enough for wood to be eyecatching. It has to produce “good tonal transfer,” explains D’Agostino.

his hands carefully, very carefully, maneuver the wood. He is in the early stages of making one of his soughtafter guitars. Eventually the wood will become part of a musical work of art that will sale for about $7,000.

The 35-year-old luthier could have programmed a milling machine to carve out the shape based on a template and then simply stood back and watched. But he doesn’t work that way. “Machine’s don’t have a soul,” says D’Agostino, standing in his sawdust coated workshop hidden within a nondescript building in Tyler. “I’m more Old World. The Old World style of building (instruments) is hands-on.” With a small chisel, he goes over the same area to make sure the carved edge is nothing less than perfect. As he presses with the chisel, small splinters pop up. He pinches them off. He is still not satisfied.

THE CRAFT

D’Agostino grew up in Farmington, Conn., a small affluent suburb of Hartford. When he was about 10 years old, his mother gave him “To Hell with the Devil,” an album by the Christian heavy metal band Stryper. He swears she gave him the album because she was not so

named his business LaRose Guitars in honor of one his great-grandfathers, who also loved music. Not long after that, a band from Tyler caught his attention. He loved the soulful-rock hybrid sounds of Eisley, which was gaining loyal fans thanks to “Telescope Eyes,” one of its early hits. When Eisley brought its national tour to the Northeast, D’Agostino showed up at the concert and offered one of his custommade creations to guitarist and vocalist Chauntelle DuPree. There was a mutual attraction.DuPree

The wood that excites him most is Brazilian rosewood. He pulls out a panel with a rich grain pattern resembling the stripes of a tiger. Brazilian rosewood is extremely rare and in demand by luthiers who make high-quality instruments. It is only found in the eastern forests of Brazil. Because the area is a threatened habitat, it is now illegal to harvest Brazilian rosewood. | Cont. on page 16 Left Page: Todd D’Agostino shows one of his prized guitars. Top: He pours his heart and soul in creating top quality musical instruments.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

“I come home from work very pleased to be in this business and I can’t wait to get back at it the next day. I’m just a guy doing what I love. It’s insane.”

Cont. from page 15 | “This is the most sought-after tonal wood in the world,” D’Agostino says, rubbing his hand across the surface. “It is extremely dramatic. … It’s a rare wood that impresses visually and sounds great. It’s a no-brainer not to use it.” D’Agostino says he’s lucky to know a supplier who has a “significant stash” acquired legally before the supply was shut off.

FINDING THE SOUL

Making a guitar is a multiple-step process. It takes time and patience and a strange mix of skills involving working with wood, metal, glue, stains and strings. “It’s like being an engineer and an artist,” says D’Agostino. “It’s both and being musical – all at the same time.” When talking about guitars, D’Agostino uses the word “soul” a lot. The instrument must talk to him. “I make instruments that have a soul. At some point you begin to make a connection with the instrument – a type of mystical type thing is going on.” Without a soul, he says a guitar is nothing but a dead piece of wood with a stain on it — something he has no use for. “I believe we are in a golden age of guitar making where craftsmanship really means something.” Although musicians and guitar collectors are singing D’Agostino’s praises and are willing to shell out top dollars for a LaRose guitar, he remains remarkably laid back. He takes the praise and success all in stride. He says he is a lucky man. “I come home from work very pleased to be in this business and I can’t wait to get back at it the next day. I’m just a guy doing what I love. It’s insane.” D’Agostino uses the best wood available to make guitars in his small shop in Tyler.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

CARDIAC. CARE THAT’S SIMPLY AMAZING.

In a traditional bypass procedure, the surgeon must completely stop the heart in order to repair it. But at Longview Regional’s Heart and Vascular Institute, we are utilizing a revolutionary technique known as beating-heart surgery. With this procedure, our skilled team is able to perform complex heart repairs without having to stop the heart – which can result in a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery. In fact, almost all of our bypass surgeries are performed on a beating heart. And we think that’s pretty amazing. To learn more, visit LongviewRegional.com/heart. Patient results may vary. Consult your physician about the benefits and risks of any surgical procedure or treatment. May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

By Lea Rittenhouse | Photos by Chris Pound

“No one else could have made it,” Tiffany says of the painting, which she also has tattooed on her body. “It’s very unique to me, and it speaks a lot about my style and my art and what it looks like when I do art.” When she created the art, it had little meaning to her, but she’s since learned the odd texture and a seemingly random focal point combined with the colorful | Cont. on page 20 18

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Cont. from page 18 | theme reflects who she is as a person and an artist. Although she grew up a self-described “doodle-er,” art only became substantial to her during her sophomore year at Robert E. Lee High School after she received encouragement from an art teacher. “I made a painting — it was so weird and stupid, and it was just every color everywhere, but she (the teacher) was so into it,” Tiffany says. At Tyler Junior College, she studied under Derrick White, who helped her believe she was truly an artist, and greatly influenced her method to art. “I don’t know how other artists are, but I never think, ‘I’m going to make a painting and this is what it’s going to look like,’” she says. “I literally start with a blank something and I don’t know how it’s going to end.” She uses anything she can get her hands on to create: canvas, a piece of wood, paper. “I think paint by itself is boring. … I’ll mix oil and acrylic, or pastels, or pieces of paper, or fabric or anything, because I think texture is really interesting and I think flat things aren’t as interesting.” Tiffany left Tyler at age 19 and carried art into her next venture, being on the staff at a camp in California, where she made set decorations and painted. After working at the camp, she moved to Tennessee and channeled her creativity in a new way — becoming a tattoo artist. Through a visit to a Christian tattoo shop in Nashville with a friend, Tiffany was offered an internship based on her abilities. “I wouldn’t have done a tattoo internship if I wasn’t interested in art, because it really helps,” Tiffany says. “It was something that kind of fell into my life.” 20

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

After living in Tennessee for five years, Tiffany moved back to Tyler last year. She says she now recognizes that she and her art have matured and that art has been one of the only things that has remained constant in her life. “It’s just always been consistent in my life, whether things were good or bad, or where I was, or even who I was as a person. It has always been me creating,” she says. “I’m kind of like the prodigal daughter. I left town and figured out who I was and where God wanted me to be, and when I got back, art just meant more to me.” When she was younger, Tiffany created what she describes as empty art, because she didn’t know who she was. She’s become confident in who she is, what role she wants to play in life and what she wants her art to look like. Tiffany has

paintings on display in Tyler businessesCaffé Tazza (where she works), 8th Street Boutique and Wasabi. She also has participated in art shows and plans to be more involved in the community with her art. Full of personality and whimsical creativity, Tiffany dreams of using her creative talent to amplify her faith. “I think if you have a talent and you don’t use it to bring glory to God, it’s purposeless. I know that my talent is from the Lord,” she says. “I see it as something to offer the world and the kingdom. It’s something I can give.” Tiffany says she’s learned not to take her art too seriously, or even seriously at all. “I’ve learned if someone makes something and calls it art, it’s art,” she says. “It’s the act of creating, good, bad, ugly, pretty — creating anything is art.” To learn more about her art, email Tiffany at tiffany.petty@gmail.com. Petty’s artwork reflects her love for using multiple textures, bright colors and bold images.

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Funny bones When It Comes To Getting A Laugh, East Texas Comedians Wil Do Just About Anything. By Stewart Smith | Photos by Herb Nygren Jr.

is experiencing a renaissance of comedy. At bars, underground venues and performance halls, comedy lovers have more opportunities now to guffaw at comedians and improv groups than any time in recent history.

EAST TEXAS

The President’s Day Comedy Show at Liberty Hall in Tyler, which touted four stand-up comedians – Brandon Davidson, Tyler Elliott, Sheridi Lester and Brad LaCourt — and Tyler’s own improv group Card 53, brought in the 22

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

biggest crowd yet (an estimated 250) for a comedy show at the venue. Unloading a stream of non-sequiturs in his trademark deadpan delivery, Elliott got some of the best laughs and some of the biggest groans. But he’d have it no other way. He may shoot off some material that bombs, but he’d rather stay true to his (often rude) sense of humor than cater to an audience. Davidson drew in the audience with innocuous stories (usually revolving around his wife and/or kids) before

dropping outrageous punchlines that had the audience alternating between pangs of laughter and guilt. I sat down with Davidson and Elliott to pick their brains on their comedy and motivations.

Stewart Smith: When was the first time you really tried hard to make someone laugh? Brandon Davidson: Third or fourth grade. I stole my grandmother’s bra

When she finally looks up she was like, ‘OK, we’re going to the office.’

SS: Did she find it funny? BD: She didn’t. My brother did

“I want to get to the place where clubs can look at me and say, “Why wouldn’t we bring him in?”

the same thing. But he didn’t do it the same day. He did it the next day.

SS: Do you still find yourself getting in

trouble for what you do trying to get people to laugh?

BD: Yeah. Not long ago, Tyler and I were

at a movie theater watching “Sucker Punch.” The movie theater does one of those things where if you get a large popcorn and a large drink you get a free refill. So I went in and there was a large popcorn and drink still sitting there in the theater and I started pouring them out, and everyone with me started laughing, like they couldn’t believe what I was doing. And right as I was pouring them out, the ushers came in. We thought we were going to get kicked out.

SS: What motivates you? Why do you

get up on a stage in front of complete strangers and tell them jokes they may not find funny in the hopes of getting a good reaction? Why do you do that?

and put it on under my jacket, but over my shirt. It was cold, but I remember thinking it would be really funny to unzip my jacket. The teacher, we were doing some timed writing, Mrs. Reynolds was just sitting there with her head down. I was sitting there proud, sticking my chest out and people in the class were chuckling. So I get up and go to her desk, get a tissue, go back to my seat. I get up, go back to her desk, sharpen a pencil. All while wearing my grandmother’s bra. She noticed, but it took a long time. Then finally the class just kept laughing.

Tyler Elliott: I did it in class throughout elementary school. In seventh grade, I got a paddling every day. Every day. Two swats. But, I think it’s the same thing like in class. You stood up and did it, and everyone looked at you. But now you get to do it, elevated from anyone else, no one else gets to talk, and everyone comes to see you and to hear the ideas that came out of your head … and sometimes you get paid for it. So, it’s not like I’m going to get rich for this sort of thing, but I guess any art form where you get paid or recognized for your own ideas, that’s pretty cool. My mom loves it. But that’s why I do it. I don’t do it to get famous. I’m married, so I don’t do it to pick up women. That’s kinda gross, anyway. SS: You’ve always struck me as a provo-

cateur, sort of a real sly, “Let’s see how well I can smile at someone while also provoking them.”

BD: Yeah, and see, I enjoy that. I spent

12 years working for a church, and I used to really enjoy being able to get up and deliver these stories, while also taking it from a slightly different angle. So I love being able to get up on stage. I talk about being a dad, which isn’t necessarily a universal thing, but I can tell it from a perspective where, they’re uncomfortable laughing at what I just said but they know it’s true. And then, I think, just as a kid I always wanted my dad to approve of me in some way, and the only thing I knew that I could do consistently is make him laugh. And so, regardless of whatever else was going on, the idea of making him laugh was something that I could have. So now, getting up on stage and telling stories and jokes, it’s kind of a narcissistic thing in a way, because you’re assuming, “What I’m saying and what I’m thinking is important and has value and nobody else is going to do it this way.” But it’s also a vulnerability thing too. … For me, everything has to come from a place of real life. I dunno, how do you get up there and tell something from a place of truth that people can relate to, but also build up tension in them and release it.

TE:

It’s not that what anyone says up there is original, you just have the courage to say it. When you start, your friends tell you you’re funny and your family tells you you’re funny, but this is a way … complete strangers tell you you’re funny. It’s the greatest way to have a conversation where I do all the talking and you do all the listening.

BD: The thing I love about stand-up ver-

sus anything, is that it’s binary. It either works or it doesn’t. You get up there and you do this thing and they either laugh or they don’t. So I love the instant feedback.

SS: Who

do you write for? When you write stuff, do you think, “Oh, this is going to make me laugh,” or do you think, “This is probably what’s | Cont. on page 24

Left: Brandon Davidson delivers a punchline during a comedy show in Tyler. May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Top: Members of Card 53 interact with the audience at Liberty Hall. Right: Tyler Elliott performs his stand-up act.

Cont. from page 23 | going to work.” So what’s your process? And is there ever a disparity between what you think is good and generally audiences find funny?

BD: Oh, dude, I have this joke that I try

and trot out every other time I try and get on-stage, and I expect it to kill every time. It has never done anything. I did it this last time, I said, “My dad used to call me a bad boy because I throw like a girl.” I think it’s really funny, but it has never, ever gotten a laugh. Ever. So, I’m hoping that in this one perfect moment I can trot it out and it’ll work. But as far as my process, when we first started out, my thought was, “How do I make (Tyler) laugh?” And if Tyler will give me a laugh, I know that I will have something I can work with. He’s got a good ear for funny, so…

TE: There are some jokes I do that are just

for me, and some that take a little more thinking to do and it’s hard to do in five or ten minutes where they have to soak them in before they get it. I write for me. We live (in Tyler). I could quite easily turn myself into a very successful Christian comedian, but it’s just like Christian rock. Who are you catering to? But that’s not who I am. And some jokes will work better in Dallas than they will here, so you have to be mindful of your audience.

BD: But you always have to aim for the

top of the room. You can’t sell the audience short. You have to try and tell that joke without over-explaining it.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

SS: You have to trust the audience. BD: Right. And I think the stuff that Ty-

ler and I have that I think we’re proud of is stuff that comes from a real place … from a place of memory and feeling.

say they saw you and think you’re funny. But it’s too late to the game at this point. It’d be nice.

BD:

SS: It’s motivated.

Dude, some of the best of all time started later than us. … But I don’t know how viable it is as a career. If this were the ’80s…

BD: Yeah. I think the audience can feel

SS: It’s really hard.

that.

SS: How long have you two been trying to make a consistent go at this?

BD: Two years in August. SS: And you two started at the same time, right?

TE: The same night. It was probably 2:30

in the morning, there were about six people in the crowd, including us.

BD: Comedy twins, born minutes apart. TE:

I’m definitely bit with the comedy bug.

SS: Do you see yourself trying to make this your full-time job?

TE:

I think full-time comedian is a relationship ruiner. Me and my wife are trying to have a kid. Like, if I was 19 or 20, then yeah. But I’m not motivated to work for money or girls. It’s nice when you go to Walmart or Target and people

TE: You can be a really hacky club comedian.

BD:

I don’t really have an endgame in mind. “Oh I’m gonna do a half hour special, then an hour special. And in five years I’m gonna go to L.A. for pilot season.” But at the same time, I want to get to the place where clubs can look at me and say, “Why wouldn’t we bring him in?” And I’m lucky that my kids love that I do this. My wife is amazing. She’s the one who encouraged it. For me, this is not typical, results may vary, but I was able to get off antidepressants when I started doing stand-up. We went and ate it at our first open mic, but we were like, “This was horrible … can we do this again?”

The curtain is drawn and the lights go up. Another successful night of hilarity has concluded at Liberty Hall. Davidson is happy with his performance but quickly recognizes which bits need further tinkering and which will perhaps be dropped. Elliott seems content with his delivery and reception. They soldier on, content to further push the envelope, always in search of a bigger and better laugh.

Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine

Dr. David Fletcher, an anti-aging expert in Tyler; former president of Smith County Medical Society, and former chief of staff at East Texas Medical Center Hospital is the founder and current medical director of East Texas Institute for Executive Health. He has been designated as an anti-aging specialist by the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. He is always on the cutting edge of medical progress.

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May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Book Reviews EDITOR’S NOTE: With the arrival of longer days comes for many a much

needed vacation – a time for grabbing a good book to pass the time as you relax by a pool or, better yet, on a tropical beach. Here are three easy reads that entertain and inspire at the same time.

system, and she never was the same. After two years, she decided she wanted to make a bigger impact on students across the country. She created a new branch of Teach for America that contracted with school districts to hire excellent teachers. She transitioned from there to chancellor of the public school system in Washington, D.C., when it was one of the worst in the country. She gained national recognition for turning the system around (teachers in Tyler recognized the name). Now she is founder and CEO of Students First, an organization that fights for the best thing for students — often going up against teachers’ unions — all across the country. Rhee is known for her tireless efforts, and her passion comes through in the book. This dedication comes at a price — Rhee acknowledges the price as she mentions her divorce – but it’s hard not to admire and be inspired by her efforts. While I am someone who believes passionately in education reform, I was nervous to pick up this book. I was worried that Rhee would bog things down and that the book would be hard to follow. That wasn’t the case at all. It’s a delightful journey that makes the reader want to ask themselves, “what can I do to help put students first?” With a publication date in 2005, this New York Times Bestseller is a little outdated, but it’s one of my favorite novels. (Also, is anyone else in disbelief that 2005 was eight years ago?)

“Love Walked In” // by Marisa De Los Santos By Rebecca Hoeffner | Photo By Sarah A. Miller

“Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World” // by Bob Goff The author of “Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World” believes in doing life a little differently. That’s why Bob Goff created a giant, man-sized Valentine’s Day card after he met the woman who would be his wife, why he and some friends sailed the Pacific in a rickety sailboat, why he camped out in front of the dean’s office to get into law school, why he started freeing children in Africa and why he considers Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland his office. It’s a whimsical, fun-filled collection of adventures from his life and what he thinks they say about God, Christ and love. Each chapter is a different story from Bob’s life. Far from being self-indulgent, Goff isn’t even the hero in many of the stories. He shares the spotlight with other extraordinary people he’s met along the way. If you’re looking for moving prose and intellectual stimulation, this is not the book for you. Goff admits he’s a 26

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

lawyer, not a writer. But if you’re looking for something entertaining and light — I chuckled out loud several times throughout the 215 pages — you’ll likely enjoy this. All of the proceeds from the book sales go to two nonprofit organizations Goff is involved with, Restore International’s Leadership Academy in Gulu, Uganda, (www.restoreinternational.org) and The Mentoring Project (www.thementoringproject.org).

“Radical: Fighting to put Students First” // by Michelle Rhee This memoir from an education reformer is hot off the presses and an impressive story from a woman who works tirelessly out of a belief in the power of education. Michelle Rhee got her start in education with Teach for America, a nonprofit organization that places recent college graduates in inner-city schools. The experience opened Rhee’s eyes to the needs of children in America’s public school

“Love Walked In” was recommended by one of my best friends, even though I don’t typically read fiction. Any time a best friend recommends something, you should seriously consider it. The main character and I share a love for classic movies and hyperbole. As a matter of fact, the author uses a delicious litany of literary devices. De Los Santos’ background is in poetry, and she makes use of those skills beautifully in the details of this story. The plot centers around Cornelia Brown, a single woman who runs a coffee shop in Philadelphia. When a Cary Grant look-alike enters the picture and they start dating, she can’t believe her luck. Across town, a young girl struggles to understand as her mother begins to act as a stranger. Your heart will break for 11-year-old Clare as her mother begins to mysteriously disappear and she has to fend for herself. The way the two are intertwined makes for an unpredictable story of kindness and love. This is far and away the most unpredictable, whimsical, heartwarming novel I’ve read in a long time.

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May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

features

Features

Coffee beans from Porch Culture Coffee Roasters. Photo by Chris Pound.

> Hospitality by the glassful, 30 > Brewing your own culture: Local coffee roasters, 40 > Rising Again: Renovating the People's Bank Building, 46

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Hospitality by the glassful By Danny Mogle | Photos by Sarah A. Miller

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Vineyards serve up good wine and good times to become destination locations. Cont. on page 32 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

WINE COUNTRY

On a country road just west of Athens, a white, two-story mansion — resting atop a rolling hill like a diamond in the rough — comes into view. It’s spectacular. Pairs of stately columns frame the wide front entrance. It has wrap-around porches and verandas with wrought-iron railings. black and white awnings accent the windows.

Then you see the vineyards in front. Row after row of vines hugs the hillside. Take the dusty drive past the mansion and you end up at an old barn converted into an upscale restaurant called the Cellar Door. The wine bar opens onto a flagstone patio where musicians perform on weekend nights. In back of the restaurant, a room stores huge wooden barrels aging fine wine. Not far away are guest cottages and, if all goes as planned, a wedding chapel will one day be beyond the hill. And the stately mansion – it’s a bed and breakfast called Tara Inn. Welcome to the world of Tara Vineyard & Winery. Tara is typical of a new breed of winery in Texas not content just to produce a successful crop. It’s now all about being a destination — a place where people come to experience exceptional cuisine, wine, accommodations and atmosphere; a place where people go for the good life.  32

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Blessed with generous rainfall, mild climate and large areas of sandy soil, Texas always has produced grapes. Native Indians and early settlers made note of thick bunches of wild grapes along streams and rivers. Spanish missionaries arrived in the 17th century with a desire to spread the word of God and knowledge of grape-growing. Some of the earliest vineyards in Texas were at small missions scattered around present-day San Antonio. Many credit Thomas Munson as the father of the Texas winery industry. In the late 1880s, Munson introduced a grapevine that was tolerant to phylloxera, an insect that nearly wiped out vineyards in wine-making regions of Europe. Munson created disease-resistant grape varieties by hybridizing Texas cultivars with plants from Europe. In the early 1900s, Texas only had about two dozen commercial wineries. The industry was poised to take off, when Prohibition hit and it all but dried on the vine. Half a century later, as growing methods improved and wine became more popular, farmers converted acres from other crops to grapes. Grape-growing in Texas is now a “serious, formidable business,” boasts a Texas Department of Agriculture pamphlet. Just how serious and formidable? Texas is the fifth-leading state in wine grape production behind California, Washington, New York and Oregon and is gaining ground quickly. “What started as a fledgling industry built on pioneering Texas grit is now one of the fastest agriculture endeavors in the Lone Star State,” says a statement from Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. About 4,400 acres in Texas supply grapes to commercial vineyards – and the number of acres grows each year. Texas has about 250 wineries, up from 188 just a few years ago. “Based on the impressive growth of the past two decades, we are proud of our state’s promising future as a leader in the worldwide wine market,” says Staples. The economic impact of all this grape growing and wine making is $1.83 billion annually, according to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. Increasingly, the impact is felt in the form of wine-related tourism. From 2009 to 2011, the number of wine-related tourists in Texas rose from 1.36 million to 1.43 million annually and the amount of money wine tourists spent climbed from $379 million to $437 million, shows a study commissioned by the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute.

TARA

Patrick Pierce wants wine tourists to end up at Tara Vineyard & Winery. Pierce

is the center of all things Tara. He’s the head winemaker, vineyard manager, owner and the guy who grabs a guitar and entertains guests on weekends. “Look at this place,” he says, motioning to the blanc du bois vineyard separating the restaurant and inn. “This could be any place in the world. It could be in the middle of Italy. I’ve been to all the wine-growing regions of the world. This looks like the Napa Valley.” Pierce grew up near the heart of California’s famous wine country. From an early age he understood that people were willing to pay big bucks to be part – if only temporarily – of the carefree culture of the vineyard. He moved to Dallas and made plenty of money operating a construction company but he wasn’t happy. Every chance they could, he and his wife headed out of the city. They were attracted to Athens’ small-town charm. While on a horseback riding lesson, he came upon the Murchison mansion on County Road 3914. “My riding coach said, ‘Hey, you ought to buy it.’” He named it Tara after the family’s sailboat (not the plantation home of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind” as most people assume). From the beginning, he had a vision for the property. “I wanted it to be a destination winery. In my mind I saw it happening. I wanted this to be a place where people wanted to come and bring their friends.” He and his family moved into the big house (once home of oil tycoon Clint Murchison) and planted thousands of grapes. He enrolled in Grayson College’s prestigious viticulture and enology program. Tara opened in 2007. Pierce never looked back. They moved out of the mansion so it could become part of the business. It now houses four guest rooms and a game room. Luxuries in the master bedroom include a turn-of-the-century headboard and frame imported from Italy, an oversized chaise lounge and spa-style bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub. The Cellar Door also was a natural progression of the first-class amenities he wanted to offer. “We are fine dining,” says Pierce as he walks between the restaurant’s tables covered with crisp black linens. “There’s nothing else like this (in Athens). We have great chefs and excellent food.” Pierce wants Tara to be the go-to destination for special events and large gatherings and plans to build a wedding chapel that will accommodate about 150 guests for larger functions. | Cont. on page 35 Right Page: Life is good at Tara Vineyard & Winery in Athens where Patrick Pierce (center left) oversees a winemaking operation, restaurant and the Tara Inn (center right, exterior; bottom, one of the guest rooms).

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

“A destination only can happen through word of mouth. People have to discover Kiepersol because it is out of the way and then when they get here, they realize it has the best steak and wine you can find.” Cont. From page 32 |“There’s still a lot of work still to be done,” he says.

KIEPERSOL

Perhaps no one in Texas has been more successful in turning a vineyard into a business empire than Pierre deWet, the founder, owner and driving force of Kiepersol Enterprises. The Kiepersol brand includes a successful winery, restaurant, bed and breakfast, multiple retail outlets, performance venue that hosts concerts and special events, recording studio, RV park, cattle ranching and extensive real estate and residential development interests. During the Kiepersol Harvest Festival and Grape Stomp, a family-friendly celebration held each October, hundreds come for the children’s activities, music and art as well as to tour the winery, stomp grapes and drink and buy Kiepersol wines. After coming from his native South Africa with daughters Marnelle and Velmay, deWet purchased hundreds of acres south of Tyler. He envisioned it as the perfect place where he, his children and grandchildren could all enjoy life together — what he calls a three-generation location. A farmer, deWet wanted to grow a crop he could carefully control the quality and bring to market at its peak perfection. In 1997, he began planting tens thousand of grapes. Today more than 60 Left Page: Kiepersol Enterprises near Bullard includes a winery (top left), bed and breakfast (top right) and a restaurant featuring fine dining (center left and bottom).

acres at Kiepersol produce white and red wine grapes. Adding the restaurant was a way to draw people to the vineyard, which by design is in the middle of nowhere, and discover the quality wines. “It was completely a destination driven decision,” says deWet. “We had to get people here. We were too small for largescale (wine) distribution so we had to get the people to come here to the wine.” The restaurant serves prime steak and fresh seafood in an upscale, relaxing atmosphere. The staff is trained to help guests select a wonderful wine that will complement their food. “The restaurant, like the winery, has always been based on two things, quality and consistency,” says deWet. “It is exactly like it was (when it opened) 13 years ago. We buy the same quality meats and the same fresh fish. … To create a destination (location) you have to have consistency. “A destination only can happen through word of mouth. People have to discover Kiepersol because it is out of the way and then when they get here, they realize it has the best steak and wine you can find.” deWet says Kiepersol provides the things that people want most out of life. “We offer fine wine, we offer them music, we offer good food, a good time. When you can put that all together in one place, like this, it’s a pretty awesome destination to come to.”

MOUNT VERNON

Vineyards are not the only places capitalizing on the allure of wine. For years,

the town of Mount Vernon’s claim to fame was being the birthplace of Don Meredith, the quick-witted Dallas Cowboys quarterback who became a popular commentator on “ABC Monday Night Football” telecasts. Now Mount Vernon has a new claim to fame – Wine Tasting Capital of Northeast Texas. On the third weekend in May, the town hosts the Piney Woods Wine Festival and on the fourth weekend in October, Wine in the Pines. On those weekends, the population of 2,600 nearly doubles as people come to sample the finest wines Texas offers, listen to music and browse shops in the turn-of-the-century buildings on the downtown square. Mike Edwards is the owner of one of those shops, M.L. Edwards & Co. His grandfather started it in 1900 as a momand-pop general store. A sign on the door still advertises boot and shoe repair, dry cleaning and tuxedo rental. Today he mostly sells antiques and gifts. On a gloomy overcast morning, there’s not much going on at the store. Edwards sits back in a chair and watches cars pass by. “See that car.” He points to a brown Oldsmobile. “I’m not going to get any money from that (driver). … You’ve got to get them out of their cars and walking around and then they might get their wallet out.” On wine festival days, his store is packed. Jim Kober owns the building around the corner housing Saucy Ladies, a dress shop his wife, Carol, runs, and the adjoining Our Place, an eatery that serves soups and sandwiches. The wine festivals give people a reason to come to Mount Vernon, spend the night and then stay another day. Kober likes to put it this way: “you need heads in beds.” “Most small towns need an identity,” says Kober, a transplanted Californian. “They (festivals) have become an economic engine that has helped a lot of people.” Kober says the organizers were smart. From the beginning, they brought everyone on board and were clear about how this would help the town. “This was presented the right way. This wasn’t brought in through the back door. It was brought in through the front door and now that door is open wide.” Not long ago, Kober could never imagine Mount Vernon hosting a wine festival, much less two. Now he could not imagine his town not doing so. When you come to Mount Vernon and start asking questions about the wine festivals, everyone says the same thing: “You’ve gotta talk to Willie.” That would be W.R. “Willie” Bane. For decades he worked in the savings and loan industry in Dallas. He promised | Cont. on page 36 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Mount Vernon, the Wine Tasting Capital of Northeast Texas, hosts the Piney Woods Wine Festival each spring and Wine in the Pines each fall on the downtown square (courtesy photos).

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Cont. From page 35 | his wife that when he retired they would live on a lake. When they found Cypress Springs, a 3,400acre spring-fed lake eight miles south of Mount Vernon, they were soon packing their bags. No one knows for sure if Bane adopted Mount Vernon or if Mount Vernon adopted Bane. But since his arrival, he has been a crusader for pumping new life into the town. About five years ago, Bane came across a news story saying Texas wine festivals generate $296 million annually. “I thought to myself, we need some of that (money) in our community.” The idea of hosting a wine festival, raised a few eyebrows in dry, conservative Franklin County. It was against the law to buy alcohol in Mount Vernon and there were plenty of naysayers and those who believed that drinking alcohol – any kind of alcohol – was an invitation to sinful living Mount Vernon should have nothing to do with. “Most people here had never been to a wine-tasting event,” says Bane. “They didn’t understand how anyone could possibly be allowed to buy and drink wine on the square and not get arrested.” He worked with the city council to amend ordinances. He made sure all regulations were followed. He invited wineries throughout Texas to take part. Four years ago, Mount Vernon hosted its first Wine in the Pines. From the beginning, it was a big hit. Two years later, the Piney Woods Wine Trail, a cooperative of 17 wineries from Mount Pleasant to Palestine, decided it needed a festival to promote its members and their products. Bane believes that Mount Vernon was selected as host city because of the success of Wine in the Pines. Inside city hall, Main Street Director Carolyn Teague pulls up images of Wine in the Pines and Piney Woods Wine Festival events on her computer. They show downtown packed with people. When your job is to promote your downtown, bring in new dollars and create good publicity, these types of images make you smile. “It’s been wonderful. It’s been such a boost to our community,” gushes Teague. She claims that the folks in Mount Vernon used a secret weapon to make sure the festivals succeeded. “We are just so darn nice.” Teague’s only half joking. “It’s all about hospitality,” she says smiling.

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brewing your own culture

Tyler couple considers, cultivates and cares for communities while roasting and delivering profoundly good coffee.

By Andy Taylor | Photos by Chris Pound

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

he idea of starting a business may have once been daunting for Jonathan and Shelly Ramm, but a threemonth bike ride from Oregon to Virginia helped put things in perspective.

During the ride, the couple faced harsh weather and slept in tents and church sanctuaries. The trip was tough, but they were determined to finish. They say they are now determined to succeed at everything they try — even when the odds are against them. The Ramms embarked on the cross-country excursion to reacquaint themselves with the United States after working at a school in the Dominican Republic. They met, married and came up with the idea for their company, Porch Culture Coffee, while at the school. Their passions for biking, living in the Caribbean and slow roasting beans for the perfect brew tell the story of a couple who enjoys the journey as much as the destination. Their slow-and-steady approach is reflected in Porch Culture Coffee. They’ve started small, choosing not to take out loans or to invest in large commercial equipment, and operate from a small building behind a house in a quiet Tyler neighborhood. “Our biggest skin in the game is our time, and we’re OK with giving that,” Shelly says. “We’ve chosen to do things unconventionally.” The Ramms import beans from a farm near the school where they worked. Using a gas grill equipped with a large cylinder basket turned by a motor, they turn the small green pebbles that arrive in burlap sacks from the Dominican Republic into familiar black beans. “We do small batches to order, so freshness is our biggest thing,” says Jonathan, who, along with his wife, spent about a year learning the coffee business from friends in Ohio. Shelly insists there’s more to their coffee than just how it’s made. The emphasis is on the way it is grown and how people are treated. “We have a direct trade relationship with our farm, so we know that the workers are being well taken care of, compensated fairly, working in a safe environment,” she says.

THE BEGINNING

Jonathan and Shelly met while working at the Doulos Discovery School in the Dominican Republic. Shelly, 31, began working there in 2006. She saw a job opening during a trip with Colorado-based Young Life, a Christian youth ministry. Jonathan, 28, arrived two years later while on a trip with his church. He took a job in the same office as Shelly was working. They married about a year later. “It’s (school) a pretty close-knit community, so you get to know people pretty well, pretty quickly,” Shelly says, joking about the brief nine-month period from first date to wedding day. They remained in the Dominican Republic for two more years before returning in 2011. They say their experience there taught them to live with purpose. | Cont. on page 42 Jonathan and Shelly Ramm operate their Porch Culture Coffee business from their Tyler home

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Cont. From page 41 | They were inspired by Chad and Krista Wallace, founders of the English-immersion Doulos Discovery School. Americans and Dominicans told the Wallaces that starting a school in which half of the students pay tuition and half are on needs-based scholarships would never work. “(Critics told them) rich people aren’t going to pay to send their kid to school with poor people,’” Shelly says. “And now, there are families that live in Santo Domingo, the capital (located) three hours away, that are moving to Jarabacoa to put their kids in this school.” The Ramms believed in the school’s mission of bringing students from different backgrounds together. They say the school’s against-the-odds success gave them confidence to launch their own endeavors. “We’ve seen the impossible done by other people … and it’s not that hard,” Shelly says. “We can do it, because it’s not us that’s going to do it. God is going to provide the way and the path and the people and the things that we need to make this happen.”

SPECIAL BREW

For Jonathan and Shelly, coffee isn’t just a product, and their business isn’t just a way to make money. It allows them to connect to the place where they fell in love — a place where they have friends and the community benefits from the coffee trade. When customers order coffee from their website, $3 from every bag goes to either Doulos Discovery School or a nonprofit organization called Mission Tyler — whichever the customer chooses. The school’s connection to the nearby Spirit Mountain Coffee Plantation sparked the Ramms’ desire to start a roasting business. The plantation is a destination for Doulos students, who engage in outdoor, expeditionary learning. Jonathan and Shelly visited the plantation during a few of those trips. “We literally sat down and had like a brainstorming session of what all we loved and what we thought we could see ourselves doing,” Shelly says. “Coffee is what we landed on.” The Ramms moved to Tyler in November and began roasting beans in January. They spend a lot of time networking and using social media to get the word out about their business and its causes. “Things are growing really well,” he says. “We’re making a lot of connections and we’re just waiting for our sales to meet up with those connections.” The couple plans to move the roasting operations into a larger building. They’re also considering opening a coffee shop, but “we really want to make sure that the market is there here in Tyler before we 42

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

“I think to us, this is just the right thing for us to do. And so, it’s kind of like there’s not another option unless it just very clearly fails, and that hasn’t happened yet. We’ll keep going.” venture into that,” Jonathan says. The Ramms are not in a hurry and don’t expect success to come overnight. At times, they seem to intentionally take things slowly. To make their morning coffee, they use the pour-over method. Jonathan dampens a filter and coffee grounds and places them in a cone-shaped cup with a hole in the bottom, which sits on top of a mug. The coffee brews as hot water is slowly poured over the grounds. The coffee trickles through the filter, down the cone and into the mug. It’s not a quick process. Shelly says that while in the Dominican Republic they developed the patience that eludes

many Americans. “Everything takes longer (there), but people have more time,” she says. “There’s a deeper connection in doing things the slow way.” When customers go to porchculturecoffee.com to have coffee beans delivered to their door each month, the Ramms make the deliveries going door-to-door on a bicycle. Reflecting on the three-month, crosscountry bike ride he took with his wife, Jonathan says the delivery method isn’t as difficult as it sounds. The Ramms say their business is a new lesson in determination and perseverance. “I think to us, this is just the right thing for us to do,” Jonathan says. “And so, it’s kind of like there’s not another option unless it just very clearly fails, and that hasn’t happened yet. We’ll keep going.”

The Ramms decided to open their own coffee roasting business after visiting a coffee plantation in the Dominican Republic.

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An ambitious renovation project is pumping new life into Tyler's original skyscraper.

TREE HOUSE HOUSE By Lea Rittenhouse | Courtesy photos and by Vanessa Curry

>> >> 46

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

By Casey Murphy & Danny Mogle Photos by CJ White & Courtesy Photos

RISING AGAIN

A >> >>

>> >>

s the building rose higher into the sky from Tyler’s downtown square, crowds came from near and far to see it for themselves. Could something that big really be going up in East Texas? They were awestruck. The year was 1932. The country was mired in the Great Depression. Times were tough. Across the United States, big building projects had all but ceased but in Tyler a skyscraper – a colossal project in its time – kept rising: 10 stories, 13 stories, 14 stories. When it finally topped off at 15 stories, it was the tallest building under construction west of the Mississippi River. Built from the profits of the black gold being pumped in mindboggling amounts from the East Texas Oilfield, the mighty skyscraper stood as a symbol of East Texas oil riches. Towering above all other structures in booming Tyler, it was by far the most prestigious business address. Tycoon H.L. Hunt built his oil empire from offices there. People’s National Bank was the anchor tenant. No expenses were spared. The first floor and mezzanine deck were lavished in Art Deco styling that included shiny marble befitting a king’s palace. But over the decades, the skyscraper slowly but surely began to lose its luster. In the early 1980s, a new, | Cont. on page 48

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

"EVEN THE ORIGINAL, ORNATE ENTRANCE DOORS ARE BEING REPRODUCED TO LOOK AS THOUGH YOU WERE STEPPING INTO THE 1932 VERSION." Cont. From page 47 | even grander, skyscraper was built next to it. At 19 stories, this building was sleek and modern. It became the new “in” place for the successful law firms and businesses. Tenants in droves moved out of the old skyscraper, money for improvements dried up and things fell into disrepair. By 2000, the building was virtually vacant. It was no longer so grand. Now, thanks to an ambitious renovation project, things are changing for the better. The  grand old skyscraper is being resurrected to its old glory.

>> THE RENOVATION The men behind the transformation are Tyler investors Garnett and Tim Brookshire and Andy Bergfeld. They are preserving the Art Deco essence and historical integrity of what is now called the People’s Petroleum Building, and adding modern, upscale amenities. They boast that soon no place in the region will so seamlessly blend the past and present. “The plan is to truly renovate and transform this historic landmark into a modern, comfortable business environment; one that offers every convenience modern tenants would expect, within a grand, historical building of which very few remain,” says Bergfeld. When launching the project last year, Tim Brookshire put it this way: “We want to bring it back to its original grandeur of Art Deco history. It’s the crown jewel of Tyler.”

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Steve Fitzpatrick and Trey Greer, of Fitzpatrick Architects, are using the original floor plans of Houston architect Alfred Charles Finn to oversee the renovation. The plans have become the blueprint to saving history and replicating original details down to the brass door handles. The renovation team is preserving, and in some cases restoring, as much of the original marble, woodwork and Art Deco attributes as possible. They are replacing escalators leading to the second-story lobby with a marble and terrazzo staircase replicating the archetype design. “Even the original, ornate entrance doors are being reproduced to look as though you were stepping into the 1932 version,” says the project’s website, www.peoplespetroleum.com. Many or the original elements remain: steel, concrete and brick and architectural details made of granite, marble, stone, aluminum and bronze.  Exterior street-level facades of black granite frame the east entry facing the square and extend around the building accenting large windows on the south side. Inside, the grand marble and limestone lobby has original aluminum handrails and limestone and terrazzo floors.

>> A PLACE IN HISTORY After the two-story Goldstein and Brown building on the Tyler square was heavily damaged by fire, People’s National Bank purchased the property and announced plans to build the skyscraper. In October 1931, renderings of the building were published in a Tyler newspaper, which hailed it as “the most imposing business structure in East Texas north of Beaumont and Houston and east of Dallas.” Trust deeds filed in 1931 and 1932, indicate construction cost at least $910,000 in cash and bonds. In 1936, a six-story section was added to the west side. In 1969, modifications were made to accommodate air conditioning. For decades it stood as “Tyler’s tallest, most elaborate historic commercial building”and remains a striking example of “materials, design (and) workmanship” of the Art Deco period, according to a historic preservation group. In 2002, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, a designation limited to sites and structures of cultural significance. Last year it was named a Tyler Historic Landmark.

>> DOWNTOWN REVIVAL Bergfeld, a real estate developer, predicts it could take up to 10 years, depending on demand for space, before all 15 floors are renovated. Priorities are to update the mechanical heating and cooling systems and renovate first-floor retail and office space, the lobby and the 10th and 11th floors, which will house business suites. The work includes incorporating modern materials and technologies and retrofitting old-style fixtures to allow for new utilities. In marketing the building, investors are highlighting its location providing tenants easy access to the nearby Smith County Courthouse, banks, restaurants, culture and business resources. Potential new tenants are already showing interest in the property even though most work is yet to be done, says Bergfeld. The project is the latest, and by far the largest, renovation pumping new life in the square, a place some at one time thought had seen its better days as the heart of the city. Around the block from the Petroleum Building, the Liberty Theater has been renovated into a retro-looking venue called Liberty Hall. It attracts crowds who come to see vintage movies and live music, stage and comedy shows. Nearby, Gallery Main Street displays art shows and serves as the cornerstone of the downtown Arts District. Bergfeld says he and his partners are excited about the renaissance of downtown as a center of business and entertainment. “Everything that has happened has helped (make downtown better),” says Bergfeld. “This is another piece.”

>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>

>> FAST FACTS:

OPENED: Nov. 5, 1932 BUILDING COSTS: $910,000 1932: Largest construction project west of the Mississippi River

TOTAL NUMBER OF FLOORS: 15 LEASABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE: 85,000 1936: West Annex Added 1954: First escalator in East Texas 1969: Air conditioning added 2002: Added to National Register of Historic Places 2012: Added as a Tyler Historic Landmark

ORIGINAL DEVELOPER: Samuel A. Lindsey KEY ORIGINAL TENANTS: People’s National Bank, prominent oil and gas businessmen D. K. Caldwell, H. L. Hunt Black and white photos show the old People’s National Bank Building during its glory days in the 1930s and 1940s. Color photos show that many of the Art Deco features in the lobby and first floor, including marble walls, have been preserved.

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT: Alfred Charles Finn, Houston, Texas

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

A New Beginning. A Landmark Reborn. HISTORY IS NOW FOR LEASE The dust has been swept away. The pink marble gleams once again. The terrazzo floors are polished to a mirror finish. The white oak trim has been stripped and returned to glory. History has been restored. The elevators glide with new certainty. A stroll down the hallway reveals fresh carpeting, modern ADA compliant facilities, & new hardware. A suite door opens and lights magically switch on. State of the art climate control systems hardly whisper to maintain perfect comfort. The People’s Petroleum Building, downtown Tyler’s most iconic landmark, is once again ready to offer state of the art office space surrounded by grand, art-deco architectural style. Lease your part of history today.

Throughout the building the historical architectural elements have been renovated, emulated and used for inspiration.

Each office suite offers fully automated and electronic climate control systems. Modern computer and phone lines are also pre-wired.

For leasing, contact Andy Bergfeld at: Bergfeld Realty Co., (903) 592-1032 bergfeldrealty.com

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Two floors are fully restored and ready to move-in. The original woodwork has been restored and supplemented with new trim.

Majestic office views are available overlooking almost every direction, including the downtown square. Soon the choices will become fewer!

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Her clothes and accessories provided by Pink Tumbleweed. Bags provided by Come Together Trading. 56

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Her clothes and accessories provided by Pink Tumbleweed. Bags provided by Come Together Trading. May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Her clothes and accessories provided by Pink Tumbleweed. Bags provided by Come Together Trading.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Her clothes and accessories provided by Pink Tumbleweed.Top: Clutch provided by Pink Tumbleweed, Bottom: Clutch provided by Come Together Trading.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

your best summer yet

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Sundresses, sandals and suntans: Summer is here! It’s time for hot days and cool nights, pina coladas and hot pink pedicures – my favorite time of year.

Summer 2013 is kicking it up a notch, creating sensual makeup and fashion trends hot as the poolside cabana boys in your favorite exotic locale. So grab your beach bag and most chic sunglasses and get ready to read about what summer has in store. If you’re a mermaid at heart like me, you’re trying to get to poolside or seaside just as much as you can. Studies show that moderate sun exposure is a great way to get a dose of vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and helps boost serotonin, which promotes a positive outlook and can literally make you feel vitalized and refreshed. However, enjoying the rays too much wreaks havoc on your health. Skin cancer cases are higher now than in past years and are more common in people between the ages of 20 and 30 than ever. “Wear your sunscreen” may sound like an overused phrase, but it’s more important than ever to not skip this vital skin-safety tip. Look for sunscreens sold at medical spas or dermatology offices that offer strong protection, are water resistant and easy to apply and have no greasy feel. For active individuals who want full-body sun protection, Elta MD sunscreen lotion is a great choice. And don’t forget about the kiddos: Earth’s Best Organic Sunblock is a great way to keep sunburn at bay. Most people forget to protect their puckers from effects of the sun. Use lip balm with an SPF (sun protection factor) such as Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Nourishing Lip Balm with SPF 20. Top your lip balm with lip gloss for longer staying power. Plus it looks glamorous which is ALWAYS a Go-To-girl GO FOR IT! Hot summer days aren’t the same without those cool summer nights. Bronzed cheeks with soft pink highlighting and an apricot lip perfectly complement sun kissed skin and look fabulous in low light.

Brittany McCaughan, go-to-girl

The key is keeping night makeup sheer and shimmery. If you’re not familiar with using a highlighter on your skin, opt for a cream based one instead. A little goes a long way. Highlight under the brow bone, the tops of your cheeks, and down the top of your nose. I like Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Highlighter. It seems to do the trick every time! MY FAV go-for-it pick after getting your tan on is Victoria Secret Beach Sexy Tan Enhance Shimmer Lotion with Tint. It adds a hint of sexy shimmer to the tanning oil along with an SPF for protection. Don’t forget about your lips! The finishing touch for any look is fresh hydrated hair, which is hard to maintain during summer. Chlorine not only takes a toll on hair color but also the texture, making hair prone to breakage and dryness. Have no fear! Your hair super hero is here: The hair mask. There are many options when it comes to hair masks. Some you do at home; others are available only in a salon and applied by a stylist. I love the VO5 Hair hot oil treatment before a mask to maximize the softening results. Do your homework. Pick a mask formulated for your hair and texture. One that works great for my naturally curly hair is Hollywood Argan Oil Hair Mask I know these tips will help you look your hottest in the heat. And I have a feeling this will be your best summer yet. XoXo- The-Go-To-Girl.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

The Spencers Can’t Get Enough of Their New Home on Lake Palestine

Dark floors and crown molding showcase the Spencers’ rustic furniture in the dining room and great room.

hen William and Tami Spencer began planning their dream home, their biggest challenge had already been solved — location. They had purchased property on Lake Palestine with a picture-perfect view of the lake and undeveloped lots with towering trees on both sides. It is a piece of lakefront paradise William knew well. His parents live down the road. While still in the Dallas Metroplex and preparing to move to East Texas for William’s new job, the young couple began planning their home by combing through floor plans and gleaning ideas from friends, family and magazines featuring beautiful homes that embody casual comfort. Almost all of their decisions centered on how to take full advantage of the view of the lake. From the beginning, they shared a common vision of what their future abode should be. “Fortunately we have similar styles and tastes,” Tami says with a smile “That’s lucky in a marriage.” But Tami had a few “non-negotiables.” “I wanted a two-story great room with tons of windows,” she says. “I wanted that two-story wall of windows.” And she wanted the kitchen to be part of the great room and to look out onto the lake. “I didn’t want to be shut away in the kitchen away from the action.” Tami was able to get all of this and more in their two-story, 4,000-square-foot craftsman style home built by Campbell Custom Homes in Bullard. Construction began last April and they moved into the house in December.  RUSTIC LODGE Stepping into the home, the view of the lake through Tami’s must-have wall of windows is inescapable. | Cont. on page 71

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

A built-in China cabinet and large table are focal points in the formal dining room. 70

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

The Juliet balcony looks down onto the great room and provides a great view of the lake.

Cont. from page 69 | From the den, one sees a large open expanse of blue water and blue sky. From the kitchen, clusters of trees along the undeveloped shoreline partially screen the lake. The large windows also allow the sun to bathe the house in light. “I don’t even think to turn on the (indoor) lights during the day,” says Tami. “I like the natural light.” The great room features a cathedrallike, 20-foot-plus vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and a flagstone fireplace.

Sliding wooden panels in a barn-door design conceal the television set built into the fireplace. When hanging out in the room, the couple and their 1-year-old son, Becton, curl up on a large and very cozy sectional that as Tami puts it, “you can sink into. … A room this big and open-ended needed a large comfy couch.” A leather chair provides additional seating. This is one of William’s favorite rooms. “I like the openness of the primary area.

I like sitting by the fireplace with everyone.” Throughout the great room and first floor, dark crown molding and dark wooden flooring provide a contrast to cream-colored walls. Tami kept the walls a light color to better show off their many decorative wall hangings. It all comes together to create the feeling of a mountain lodge retreat. Rustic touches include the decorative fireplace screen designed around a metallic star that looks as if it could have been plucked straight from the Lone Star State flag. A similar design hangs on the outside wall near the front door. “We are both Texans by birth and at heart,” says Tami, revealing the items are First Monday Trades Day finds. (And yes, they haggled to get a good deal.)    SPECIAL FEATURES The kitchen is another place Tami had a must-have. “I had to have double ovens — that was one of my non-negotiables.” The ovens and six-burner range are lifesavers when she cooks for a crowd. Another lifesaver when they throw dinner parties is the long wooden table — with bench seating on one side -- in the formal dining room. Tami says many people are surprised to learn that the room’s craftsman-style, antique-looking china cabinet is actually a built-in. Also on the first floor are a guest bedroom that houses an antique architect work desk (an heirloom from William’s family) and the master bedroom. A large entertainment center dominates one wall in the master bedroom. It was a focal point in the living room of their previous home. When William pointed out that it would fit the space perfectly, it found a new home. The bathroom has separate vanities — on opposite walls no less — so Tami and William have their own space. Their walk-in Roman shower is discretely tucked behind a wall. Tami was sold on the idea when she realized she’d never have to clean a shower door. She was also sold on the big walk-in closet. The elevated bathtub sits on a flagstone base that mimics the look of the fireplace. It was important to them to continue the same design elements throughout the first floor. The second floor has two more bedrooms, a Jack and Jill bathroom and little Becton’s nursery. The crib is tucked away in the nursery’s alcove. “It works great as a dark and cool place for naps,” says Tami. The Juliet balcony (think “Romeo and Juliet”) with its ornamental balustrade on the landing at the top of the stairs looks down onto the great room and, from its elevated perch, provides one of most panoramic | Cont. on page 74

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Left: The great room, with its exposed beams, flows into the kitchen (Top) and creates the feeling of a lodge retreat. May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

“We wanted our house to be warm and inviting and comfortable and livable. I think we achieved that.” Cont. from page 71 | views of the lake.  THE EXTERIOR William takes the lead when it comes to deciding how to best utilize their outdoor spaces. “Inside is her area but outside is my area,” he says diplomatically. William looks at their outdoor spaces in terms of “functional zones” — some are zones for entertaining. The great room opens through double doors onto a spacious covered patio anchored by a fireplace that duplicates the design of the one inside. The outdoor sitting area is the perfect place for enjoying the refreshing breezes that blow off the lake. “When you live on a lake, you spend a lot of time outside,” says Tami. The Spencers plan to add a fully-functional outdoor kitchen on the patio. A window between the indoor kitchen and patio will unify the two cooking spaces. Around the side of the house, a more

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

casual and open area around an aboveground fire pit serves as a second entertainment zone. The space reflects William’s outdoor-loving spirit. “I enjoy being outdoors and doing things outside,” he says. To create the front driveway and paths, William used crushed granite because it fits the natural aesthetics of the property. He lined these pathways with large rocks from an East Texas quarry.   ROOM TO GROW The Spencer home is a work in progress. On both ends of the second floor are unfinished rooms that eventually might become bedrooms or family playrooms. “There’s plenty of time for us to figure out what the rooms will become,” says Tami. William envisions one day adding more landscape design features, a small guest house and a boathouse and pier that will provide better access to the lake and the boating and swimming opportunities it

offers. They say the house and property will evolve with their changing needs and desires over the years. “We’re here for the long haul,” says Tami. “We plan to be in this house for a long time,” agrees William. “We’re making long-term decisions.” Tami says if it is God’s plan, they would love to have more children. They know they have plenty of space for a house full of children. For now, they’re not worrying about the future. They’re too busy enjoying their very active son and the first summer in the house of their dreams — their rustic lodge on the lake. “We wanted our house to be warm and inviting and comfortable and livable,” says Tami. “I think we achieved that.” This Page: (Clockwise from top left) The master bedroom and master bathroom have plenty of space and great views of the lake; the mud room is located just inside the door leading to the garage; the baby’s crib is tucked in an alcove in the nursery.

The covered outdoor living space just off the great room features a fireplace and sitting area. May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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The survey is in...find out what is hot for 2013 outdoor living. By Danny Mogle | Photos Courtesy of Preferred Pools

hen Lindsey Bradley and his wife purchased a home in Tyler's Stonegate subdivision, just one thing was not quite right - the back yard was a mess.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

As Bradley tells it, the backyard was underdeveloped, with only a small patio. Bradley wanted much more from this space. “We love the outdoors,” says the hospital executive. “We love being outside. … We consider the back yard to be another room of the house.” They had two “musts” for their outdoor space. “We wanted something like a ‘Southern Living’ house with a New Orleans courtyard type of feel … something with a wrought-iron look from the Old South.” And they wanted a swimming pool. “We had a pool (at our home) in Bullard and loved it.” The Bradleys closed in the small patio to create an inviting sunroom and put the task of transforming the yard into the hands of Lanny Musslewhite, owner of Preferred Pools, and Tyler landscape designer Mike Loggins. The designers, who often collaborate, put into motion a three-step plan.

Outdoor rooms: Think covered patios

Fireplaces: The fireplace, a focal point

with walls as minimalistic as colorful fabric panels flapping in the breeze, potted shrubs, ornamental trees or lattice panels covered by climbing vines.

3 Step Plan: 1. They extended a partially covered courtyard from the house and framed it with decorative wroughtiron fencing. They anchored one end with an oversized fireplace and the other with a water feature. 2. They used walkways to connect the courtyard to the focal point in the yard: a sauna from which the water cascades down a rock formation into a swimming pool with serpentine borders lined with decorative tile. 3. They tied it together with lighting and low-maintenance plants that hug the natural slopes of the property and lead to areas left as Mother Nature created. | Cont. on page 85

of outdoor living, can be made from stones that evoke a mountain cliff or an ancient English castle. A fire pit can be built into the ground, raised from a patio, or be a free-standing unit.

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5. Dramatic lighting 90.9%

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6. Installed seating: Benches, ledges boulders. 97.6% 7. Water elements: Fountains, pools, waterfalls, grottos. 90.9% 8. Swimming pools with sun decks. 80.9% Source: American Society of Landscape Architects. www. asla.org. The survey asked residential landscape architecture professionals about the estimated popularity of various design elements for 2013. The survery was fielded January 28 through February 12, 2013, with 166 responding.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Water features: Water features

range from small decorative elements tucked away on the patio, to decorative fountains with multiple levels to even larger rock formations from which waterfalls plummet.

“You want it to look natural. It needs to be well thought out. When it looks natural, thats the genius of the property,”

Lighting: Long-lasting LED lighting is an

No-work landscaping:

inexpensive way to add drama and flair. Install lighting focused down onto pathways and shooting up into trees. The trick is to make the lighting units as inconspicuous as possible. Lights can turn the water of a pool into the color of glowing red lava or a deep blue ocean. Or you can light it up like a disco.

Homeowners want to spend more time enjoying their yards and less time maintaining them. Use native plants that are both striking and easy to maintain and strategically arrange them in clusters at key focal points.

Cont. from page 81 | The Bradleys are among homeowners who in record numbers are bringing the indoors out and the outdoors in — combining the fresh-air pleasure of nature with the cozy comforts of a family room and the convenience of a fully-functional kitchen. As the line between indoors and outdoors evaporates, families are extending living spaces onto decks, patios, porches, sunrooms, terraces and poolside cabanas. “In this uncertain economy, homeowners want to get more enjoyment out of their yards,” says American Society of Landscape Architects Vice President Nancy Somerville, in a news release announcing this year’s hottest outdoor trends. “They want attractive outdoor spaces that are both easy to take care of and sustainable.” ASLA residential architects say this is another big year for creating outdoor living spaces, installing pools/water features and using fireplaces to turn patios into entertainment retreats. The idea is to create natural extensions of the home by taking into account existing architecture, layout of the property and lifestyle of the family. “You want it (back yard) to look natural. It needs to be well thought out. When it looks natural, that’s the genius of the property,” says Musslewhite.“The outside is the new inside,” says Byron Utz, owner of Excel Pools and Landscaping, based in Flint. Homeowners are paying as much attention to the back yard as they are the interior, says Utz. “If the homeowner can dream it up, we can make it happen. There’s is nothing we can’t do.”Utz has worked on outdoor projects as large as $750,000 in which no expenses were spared to create a back yard paradise any resort would envy. It’s just all a matter of coming up with a budget and selecting the features you want the most, insist design professionals.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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RECYCLE

collective consciousNESS Brighten up your living space with a repurposed cornice, turned ambient lighting fixture.

By David Wallace | Photos by Herb Nygren Jr.

Don't use it and lose it. Use it and then reuse it. In one word, recycle.

If you think recycling is a new trend, think again. Some are apt to believe that Adam and Eve were the first recyclers when they took those broad fig tree leaves that provided shade and recycled them into fashionable garments. Of course, I'm kidding (but nature is the quintessential embodiment of recyclability). It has taken more than 40 years for recycling to become part of our collective consciousness. Worldwide attention to pressing environmental issues culminated with the first Earth Day observance on April 22, 1970.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

John McConnell, an environmental activist, came up with the idea following an oil spill in January of 1969 that resulted in 100,000 barrels of oil washing onto beaches at Santa Barbara, Calif. U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin led the effort that resulted in the official designation of Earth Day. More than 20 million people participated in events on the first observance. Today, Earth Day attracts more than 500 million observers from 175 countries. In response to this movement, Chicago-based Container Corporation of America held a contest for art and design students. A 23-year-old University of Southern California student won the contest with a design of three mutually chasing green arrows outlined in black forming an unending single-sided loop. Called the Mobius loop, it became the first universal symbol for recycling. How well I remember the first Earth Day. I was in high school. It was a cold and windy day. The student body was marched outside. We listened to speeches about our responsibilities to conserve the planet’s resources. Small tree saplings were planted to dedicate the event. It left an impression on me. Today I still care about being a good steward of our planet’s resources. I hate litter and constantly pick it up. I find ways to reuse old things in new ways as art and decor. I love to recycle. I’ve concluded that virtually everything can be recycled. Recycling is fun, saves money, resources and landfill space and is simply the right thing to do.

RECYLE I’m very excited to share this recycle

project: repurposing a window cornice into shelving with a twist and ambient lighting. The low-cost project is simple. It can inspire you to see how an object that served one purpose can have yet another life. A cornice (the Italian word for ledge) is any horizontal decorative molding that crowns a building, furniture element or, most often, a window. I built the ones in this project for living-room windows of the little country home that we lived in. We placed all kinds of little country decor on the cornices. I brought them when we moved into our subterranean home on the square in downtown Tyler. Since we don’t have windows like we did, I needed to reuse them. It didn’t take me long to figure out that they could become shelving with lighting. Because we don’t get a lot of sunshine in our new space, we depend on all kinds of lighting. It was easy to string inexpensive rope lights inside the cornices and I ended up with creative shelving with ambient lighting.

"I find ways to reuse old things in new ways as art and decor. I love to recycle. I’ve concluded that virtually everything can be recycled."

THE PROJECT Most cornices are made of wood; some

are made of other materials. If you plan to use one to hold heavy things, such as glassware, then consider using wood. Many times you’ll find cornices at resale shops because people remodel and dispose of them. They cost little money. The two I built are made from inexpensive pine boards, stock lumber. I used easy, box construction and it only cost me about $10. They measure around 5 feet long. You could spend that much for a ready-made shelf of no more than 15 inches long. Rope lights usually cost about $10 for a 2-foot long piece but I bought mine at Goodwill for $2. They were still in the original package. You could use clear little Christmas lights for the same effect. They are very inexpensive. Be creative! Ambient lighting is low-key lighting — the combination of light reflection from various surfaces to produce uniform illumination. It can be either purposeful or simply decorative, but is usually a combination of both. Movie theater lighting is a good example. You can’t have a lot of light when the movie is on but some light is needed to guide people out to the lobby. For this reason, lighting is placed along the stairs, seats and even the walls. The lights usually are concealed under moldings. Only reflective light is revealed. The espresso bar in our home was created by firmly attaching two window cornices, one above the other, to the wall. I made sure they were well attached. I used cup hooks inside the top shelf to string the lights. The lights easily can be

David Wallace transforms a cornice into a shelf with ambient lighting.

pulled out if they need to be replaced. I used a very long strand of rope lights because I wanted light to shine down on the bottom shelf of glassware. I cut a hole in the top shelf and threaded the lights up through the hole and across the back of the top shelf to light the glassware on the top ledge. I added a small (1-inch by 2-inch) strip of pine across the back of the top shelf. I painted it the same white color of the shelf. This conceals the light that comes through the hole on the top shelf and across the back. Remember, with ambient light you don’t see the source. You simply see the reflection of light. I placed a small stainless steel table under the shelves, to conceal the light cords plugged into the wall outlet. It really pays to recycle!

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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Benefit helps feed hungry children while spreading the glory of God. By Danny Mogle | Courtesy Photo

vangelist Brandon Scott Smith and his sister, Wendi Rees of Tyler, can point to the moment that changed their lives. It took place three years ago as they witnessed the horrors of the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Desperately hungry children seemed to be everywhere. “Most kids (in Nairobi) don’t have parents who can make them go to school because the parents are dead or missing, or the parents are off trying to make money. So, instead of going to school, they wander the streets in the slums … looking for food or trying to get or steal money to buy food,” recalls Brandon in writing about the experience.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

“After several hours touring the streets in the slums of Nairobi (and) seeing and smelling horrific things … we left and went back to our hotel room with our running water and our clean sheets and our mosquito nets over our beds so we don’t get malaria. And that's when it hit us: We’ve got to do something about this.” What they ended up doing was establishing the nonprofit Christian charity No Hungry Children.

FEEDING CHILDREN

Their guide through shantytown was Maurice Odhiambo, founder of Manna Ministries. During a previous trip to Africa, Brandon learned that Manna (the Old Testament food of life from God) was

working through Christian schools to provide meals to 700 children. Volunteers deliver the food and then go into the classrooms and teach children God’s word. Brandon began working with Manna to train the volunteers to be effective messengers of the Gospel. To witness the challenges Manna faces, Brandon and Wendi (along with Brandon’s wife, Kim, and his business partner, Jimmy Gunderman) traveled to Nairobi. They learned that the best hope children have of getting a regular meal is through schools. But most children don’t go to school and only a few schools — typically those fortunate enough to have food donated — provide meals. Maurice told the group that Manna could feed many more children, if it had more money. “When I asked Maurice how much it takes to feed each child, he said, ‘One dollar per child.’ I thought he meant $1 per child per day, but then he clarified … ‘No, $1 per child per week,’” Brandon recalls. “‘Per week,’ I said, ‘Are you kidding? Are you seriously saying that we can feed a child for a whole year for $52?’ He said, ‘Absolutely!’”

THE BENEFIT

Sitting in a coffee shop in Tyler, Brandon and Wendi say they are blessed that

so many East Texans have embraced No Hungry Children. “My 11-year-old son said to me, ‘Mommy what can I do to help Uncle Brandon feed the orphans,’” recalls Wendi. To raise money, they started baking and selling cookies. Once the word got out about No Hungry Children, offers to help with the cookie drive poured in. Someone suggested that they tackle a bigger fundraiser. “The next thing I knew the Lord was using me – this housewife and mother from Tyler, Texas, with little experience – to plan this big event,” says Wendi. She turned to churches, individuals and Christian music performers. Everyone was on board. Some gave money. Others offered to help any way they could. The first No Hungry Children benefit was held last year in Tyler. To their astonishment, 3,000 people showed up. The event raised $50,000 through donations, ticket and merchandise sales and auction proceeds. Wendi is leading the group of volunteers planning the second No Hungry Children Benefit Festival set for May 18 in Tyler’s Bergfeld Park. It will again feature activities for children, auctions, performances by worship bands, a food court and a booth selling No Hungry Children merchandise. Fenton Motors of Tyler has signed on as the title sponsor and television station KYTX CBS19 and Christian radio station KVNE are promoting the benefit. Admission will be three non-perishable food items, which will be donated to Tylerbased St. Paul Children’s Foundation to feed children in East Texas.

SAVING SOULS

No Hungry Children in partnership with Manna Ministries is now providing 10 meals a week to more than 1,300 children in schools in Nairobi. “These are schools that you and I did not grow up in. … These are schools with dirt floors and no running water,” Brandon explains in a video on the organization’s website. Brandon says No Hungry Children exists to reflect the glory of God while helping the least among us. He points as inspiration to Matthew 25: 37-40. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?”And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” The mission is to fill stomachs and save souls. “We feed them so that we can share the hope and love of Jesus,” says Brandon. More information about No Hungry Children is available on its website, nohungrychildren.org. May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Laurel Anne Good overomes rare disease to wrangle Cattle Barons' fun. By Danny Mogle | Photos by Sarah A. Miller

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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She steps out of a dressing room at Cavender’s Boot City in Tyler wearing cowboy boots decorated with big butterflies, a pink shirt with a row of white fringe, a belt that shimmers with hundreds of sparkling rhinestones and a cowboy hat with pink trim. “I love it!” Amy Barber shouts with approval. Amy, co-chairman of the Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala with Trudy Williams, is part of the entourage helping Laurel pick out clothes for the Cattle Barons’ Little Wranglers Round-Up. The 7-year-old daughter of Ken and Terri Good of Bullard is this year’s Little Wrangler, a child who serves as an inspiration to other children battling cancers. “Do you like it?” asks Terri, as Laurel strikes a pose to the delight of her sister, Darby, 14, and others present. “Yes!” responds Laurel, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

RARE DISEASE Laurel has an extremely rare disease

called Thrombocytopenia-absent radius syndrome. It is caused by the mutation of a gene that otherwise ensures cells in the body properly produce proteins. Those with TAR are born without the radius bone in each arm and have a shortage of cells needed for blood clotting. At birth, Laurel’s platelet count was dangerously low and then it continued to drop. Terri says that any type of fall or injury would have been fatal because Laurel’s body had no internal mechanism to stop bleeding. TAR left Laurel weak, sick and miserable. In order for her body to manufacture the needed platelets, Laurel had to undergo a bone marrow transplant. It was a frightening prospect because the operation and chemotherapy would literally bring Laurel to the brink of death. A donor, a college student in Indiana, was found through a national tissue-matching registry. Healthy plateletforming cells were injected into Laurel. Today Laurel is happy, healthy and doing just fine. “The worst is behind us,” says Terri. One of the first things Laurel did after spending months recovering in the hospital was to attend a Cattle Barons’ Little Wranglers Round-Up. “She absolutely loved it,” says Terri. “She had so much fun.” Little Wranglers — a private party for children with cancer, their siblings and parents — has been part of Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala for years. It takes place the day before and at the same site of the Gala. Cattle Barons’ volunteers provide the food and entertainment. “The cool thing about Little Wranglers is that we can do something special for these kids who are going through so much,” says Amy. “Last year my hus-

band and I both left (the event) crying because we were so touched by the joy these kids had on their faces.” Terri says the family agreed to have Laurel serve as the Little Wranglers representative in order to draw attention to the need for blood marrow donors. Thousands of people with life-threatening diseases and blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma depend on marrow transplants to save their lives. The process to become a potential donor is easy. Information about the National Marrow Donor Program is on the website www.marrow.org.

GALA EVENTS The Gala is a “country-fied” party with gourmet food, midway games, auctions and live entertainment. It will take place June 8 at Harry and Dawn Leatherwood’s Rio Neches Ranch. This year’s Gala drawings are a suite of matching jewelry (ring, earrings and necklace) made of black and white sapphires by Charles Krypell and provided by Susan Robinson Jewelry and a special Cattle Barons’ 2013 GMC Sierra Crew Cab pickup truck provided by Hall GMC of Tyler. Tickets to the Gala and the drawings are available at the American Cancer Society office in Tyler. Money raised at Cattle Barons’ events help fund the research of and services provided by the American Cancer Society. Most of the money remains in East Texas to help patients and their families. Events leading up to the Gala include the Kick-Off Party May 2 at Cavender’s Boot City in Tyler, a benefit May 8 at Susan Robinson Jewelry and the “All Hands on Deck” Boat Run May 24 at the Petroleum Club on Lake Tyler. May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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Gala Events —

THE DRAWINGS

• Susan Robinson Jewelry of Tyler has donated a suite of matching jewelry (ring, earrings and necklace) made of black and white sapphires by Charles Krypell. Tickets to the drawing cost $10 for 1; $25 for 3 and $100 for 12. • Hall Buick GMC of Tyler has donated a “Black Gold” Cattle Barons’ Edition 2013 GMC Sierra Crew Cab truck. Tickets to the drawing cost $100. Tickets for both are on sale now at the American Cancer Society office in Tyler.

THE EVENT MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRS For the past 25 years, Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala has raised over $9.2 million for the American Cancer Society. Through the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers, Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala also promotes the American Cancer Society’s mission, which is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem through research, preventive education, advocacy, and patient services. Funds raised by Cattle Barons’ Gala assist cancer patients and survivors in many ways —transportation to and from a chemotherapy treatment, assistance through cancer support groups, even scholarships for childhood cancer survivors. These services might not be possible if it were not for the generosity of so many individuals and businesses who give to Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala. This year marks the 26th year for Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala, and there is still work to be done. Because a cure for this terrible disease has not been found, we will continue to make a stand and fight, by celebrating Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala and continuing to raise funds to help

100 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

find a cure. Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala has been one of the most successful events in East Texas in raising funds to fight cancer. We hope to continue to be successful in this endeavor. Please join us again this year, as we celebrate the 26th annual Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala and the American Cancer Society’s 100th anniversary, and help us strive to make cancer a health problem of the past. The ways you can help make a difference are as varied as they are plentiful; you can volunteer your time, make a monetary donation, or donate services needed to make this gala possible. When you honor a loved one in the Tribute to Courage book, purchase a Sign of Hope, or designate yourself or your business as a Sponsor or Underwriter for this event, you help to carry us ever closer to our goal: A cure for cancer. We are honored to continue this fight, and we look forward to joining with you to make this event a continued success and helping create a world with more birthdays. Amy Barber and Trudy Williams: Co-Chairs

The Gala, a country-themed party with gourmet food, midway games, auctions and live entertainment that will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight on June 8 at Harry and Dawn Leatherwoods’ Rio Neches Ranch, 18654 CR 418.

THE SCHEDULE

• 6 p.m.: The Barons’ Reception, a private party for Barons’ Level donors, begins at the Rio Neches Ranch prior to the Gala and includes a special menu from caterer Eddie Deen and live music. • 7 p.m.: Gates open. Purchase tickets to the drawings or a gift box; take part in the midway games and activities; eat the food of famed caterer Eddie Deen; sample wines from the Rio Neches’ Pelle Legna Vineyard, try your luck at the games of chance and put in a bid at the silent auctions. • 8:30 p.m.: Get ready to place a bid on fabulous items during the live auction. • 10:30 p.m.: Head over to the main stage for more live music and dancing. • Midnight: Claim you prizes and sample some late-night vittles as the Gala closes.

TICKETS

Tickets to the Cattle Barons’ Gala and more information are available at the American Cancer Society office in Tyler: 1301 S. Broadway Ave., 903-597-1383; or go to the website www.cattlebaronsgala.net.

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WesleySeniorliving.com May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

101

Custom Compounding, HRT, IV, Veterinary

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are a girl’s best friend. When detected early, breast cancer is a curable disease. And the two most important things you can do to protect yourself are monthly breast self-exams and annual mammograms. Each could save your life. For more information on how to perform breast self-exams or to request an appointment, please call (903) 531-5433 or visit our website.

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Helping people stay Joey Coker home & stay happy. Home-Aid Caregivers is a natural extenOwner of Home-Aid Caregivers, Ltd.

Stephenson Pharmacy

Cynthia Luman, Left, and Peggy Cruson, Right, with owner Joey Coker, Center.

1000 South Fleishel • Tyler

Patrick J. Healy, R.PH. Compounding Pharmacist

903-593-0236 102 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

903-533-1300

www.homeaidcaregivers.com

sion of owner Joey Coker’s compassion for others – especially the elderly who want to remain in their homes when confronted with health problems. His spiritual, personal and professional character was shaped early by loving friends and family. His integrity and expertise was developed while obtaining a master’s degree in long-term care administration from The University of North Texas and earning a licensed to become a Nursing Facilitator Administrator. Joey’s experience in gerontology includes having served as part of a management team at a skilled nursing facility and then as director of a large home-health agency. “After seeing how much happier the clients were in their own homes and how the employees seemed to enjoy their jobs more, I decided homecare was the place for me,” says Joey. In 2002, he started Home-Aid Caregivers. He now leads professionals dedicated to providing in-home care that people can trust.

DITCH

THE DIET

GIMMICKS Eat Real Food for Healthy Weight, Balance in Life

By Crystal Breaux | Courtesy Photo

“Quick Weight Loss!” “Lose all Your Weight in 21 Days!” “Celebrity Diet!” These are some of the marketing campaigns I’ve read in the last few days. I can’t begin to name all the campaigns I’ve read over the years. It saddens me to see so many women chasing gimmicks in hopes of finding a perfect quick fix to look and feel better. We are bombarded with advertisements for new diets, eating programs and “better, healthier” foods. To be honest, it’s exhausting and overwhelming to keep up with it — and I’m in the health and fitness business. Years ago, I came up with a question for women desperate to know if the latest diet, supplement or weight-loss method will work: “Can you do it for the rest of your life?” I have yet to meet anyone who can continue for a long period a very calorie-restrictive diet; a meal plan that includes the same foods or shakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner; or a hefty fee each month for packaged foods that you only can get from the vendor. These bring initial weight loss, no doubt, but the weight quickly returns once you’re no longer on the special program and then the weight-gain, weightloss cycle begins again. The only way to lose or maintain weight, have balance in life and be at peace with food is to give up the nonsense and take

time to learn to eat healthy food as part of a balanced diet and an exercise program.

Calories in/Calories out While we don’t want to restrict ourselves with a very low number of calories each day, a certain number is needed to lose or maintain a healthy weight and there must be a deficit between the number of calories we eat and the number of calories we burn. It’s simple math. A deficit is accomplished by combining the right amount of exercise with the right amount of healthy food.

Add vs Subtract Most women concentrate on what not to eat, which can lead to deprivation and failure. Instead, focus on real foods you should eat and then create meals and snacks from them. Focus on the healthy plate plan. When you eat, plan your plate to be one-fourth healthy protein, one-fourth a healthy grain and the other half fruits and vegetables. Putting effort on what needs to be added to your diet, instead of subtracted, leaves little room to dwell on things you can’t have.

natural foods that keep us full and satisfied. A few of my favorites are salmon, tomatoes, eggs, beans, sweet potatoes and spinach. For snacks, I see how many different fruits I can add each day and eat cheese, almonds and raw vegetables. I want to enjoy life and eat like a real person. There’s no peace or balance when you’re continually chasing the latest fad diets. There’s no quick solution. It’s not rocket science. It’s learning to eat the types of healthy food that God gave us from the beginning of time.

HEALTHY SNACK IDEA: CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER DIP 5.3-oz. Container of non-fat Yoplait Greek Vanilla Yogurt. 2 Tbsp. Peanut Butter. 1/2 Tbsp. Honey.

This makes four 2-tbsp. servings at 70 calories per serving. Double it to make a healthy appetizer or a sweet treat.

Add Super Foods Super foods are foods closest to their natural state and provide an abundance of nutrients, such as fiber and protein. To maintain a healthy weight, we need

Breaux designs exercise and eating plans for women. She has worked as a personal trainer and weight-loss instructor. To learn more, go to www. yourfitnessdesigner.com.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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Spring has finally arrived

Along with all the newest Spring 2013 looks at your favorite stores!

Enjoy all we have to offer Banana Republic Factory Store

Bass Pro Shops Crocs

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Build-A-Bear Workshop

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104 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

food & culture

Food

> RECIPES: Uncorked flavor, 106 >Dining Guide, 110

Events

> High Standards, 114 > Calendar of Events, 118

Travel

Food by Cork. Photo by Sarah A. Miller.

> Family Friendly Shreveport & Bossier City, 122

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

105

uncorked flavor

106 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Recipes by Tim Smith of Cork Photos by Sarah A. Miller

Pomegranate Margarita Prep time: about 10 minutes Ingredients

1 3/4 oz Patron silver tequila 3/4 oz Cointreau Juice from 1 lime 3/4 oz Light agave nectar Juice from seeds of 1 pomegranate

Directions

> Muddle and strain pomegranate seeds. > Add lime juice, agave nectar and Cointreau. > Shake and strain into a Collins glass of ice .

> Serve with pomegranate seeds and a lime wedge.

Baby Elote Prep time: about 10 minutes Ingredients

3 baby corn cobs 1 lime Sprig of Cilantro Cotija Cheese 1 tbsp Crema Mayo 1 tsp of chili cumin 1 clove of garlic

Directions

> Season baby corn with

chili cumin and minced garlic clove.

> Grill baby corn until tender on low to medium heat. > Squeeze fresh lime, and drizzle crema Mayo. > Crumble cotija cheese and garnish with cilantro.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

107

Chermoula Lamb Lollypops Prep time: about 45 min. Ingredients

Rack of Lamb, (frenched)

Chermoula Sauce

1 large bunch cilantro (coriander), finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, pressed or finely chopped 2 tablespoons paprika 1 tablespoon cumin ½ tsp lemon preserves minced 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste 1 teaspoon ginger (optional) 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled 3 tablespoons vegetable oil Juice of 1 small lemon

Directions

> Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. > Evenly coat each piece of lamb with a liberal amount

of chermoula sauce, salt and pepper.

> Grill over medium high heat till desired doneness. > Serve with couscous, grilled asparagus, and a drizzle

of the remaining chermoula sauce.

Scallop Ceviche Prep time: about 4 hours Ingredients

3/4 pound sea scallops, sliced 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 small limes) ¼ cup of coconut milk Green papaya, sliced into ribbons ¼ Red onion sliced ½ tsp minced garlic ½ Serrano pepper minced 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 1/4 large avocado 1 knob of taro root thinly sliced and fried green onion sliced into ribbons Arugula

108 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Directions

> Combine the scallops, lime juice, coconut

milk, papaya, red onion, garlic, serrano and sea salt in a large bowl, stirring well. > Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. > Once the scallops have finished marinating, slice the avocado in half, lengthwise, discarding the seed. Scoop out the flesh, and dice it. Discard the skin. > Drain the liquid from the scallops to plate. > Garnish with diced avocado, chopped cilantro, taro root chips, green onion and arugula.

Dr Pepper Braised Pork Prep time: about 4 hours

Ingredients

1 tablespoon dark sesame oil 1 (3 1/2-pound) bone-in pork shoulder, trimmed cut into 2x2 cubes 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt ½ daikon radish, peeled, paysanne 1 ½ white onion, large dice 4 green onion stalks, 2-inch lengths 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 cups Dr Pepper 1/2 cup hoisin sauce 2 tbs Chili powder 1/4 cup rice vinegar 1/4 cup soy sauce Cornstarch slurry (as needed) 1 cup diagonally sliced green onions Toasted gomashio

Directions

> Preheat oven to 300°. > Heat a pan over medium-high heat. > Add oil to pan. Sprinkle pork evenly

> Stir in cola and the next

ingredients (through soy sauce); > Skim fat from cooking liquid. with salt. Add pork to pan; sauté for 8 bring to a boil. > Thicken the sauce with cornminutes, turning to brown all sides. > Return pork to pan; cover. Bake starch slurry until a gravy like > Remove pork. Add ginger and garlic; at 300° for 4 hours or until consistency is obtained. sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly. tender, turning occasionally. > Serve over pimento cheese grits.

Prep time: about 10 min.

Ingredients

3 cups water 4 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon honey 1 1/2 10-ounce boxes couscous (about 2 1/4 cups)

¼ red bell pepper 1 tsp garlic 1/3 cups dried apricots, thinly sliced 1/3 cup dates, diced 3/4 cup chopped green onions 4 green olives pitted and halved

Directions

> Combine water, oil and salt in medium saucepan; bring

to boil. Sauté the garlic and red bell pepper until tender and combine with dry couscous, apricots and dates. > Add boiling liquid. Cover immediately; let stand until water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. > Bring to room temperature before continuing. Toss with green onions and olives. Season with salt and pepper.

Pimento Cheese Grits

Couscous

Prep time: about 30 min. Ingredients

5 cups of water 2 cups of grits 1 tsp salt ½ red bell pepper, roasted, small dice 1 tsp sambal ¼ cup of heavy cream ½ cup of white cheddar

Directions

> Bring water to boil with salt.

> Add grits and cook to desired consistency. > Reduce heat and add

bell pepper, sambal, cream and cheese.

> Continue to stir until the cheese is melted. > Salt and pepper to taste.

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109

The Dining Guide Cheng’s Cheng’s China Bistro has hired Mr. Jack Zheng, the executive chef of the famous Dragon Restaurant in Chinatown, to be our head chef. He was also previously the head chef of the top Mei Hua Restaurant in Hong Kong, and his culinary approaches and dishes have the rich traditions as well as his unique understanding of Chinese food that delight the senses.

3300 Troup Highway • Tyler, TX • 903-617-6896

chengschinabistro.com

Villa Montez Villa Montez is a unique casual family dining restaurant that offers the best of the “Cocina Latina” (Latin Kitchen). Our festive and friendly environment is the perfect place for lunch or gathering for a delicious meal with friends and family. Private rooms available • Catering Beautiful patio seating • New Tapas Menu in the bar Extensive Wine Selection • Lunch & Dinner-Closed on Sundays

3324 Old Henderson Highway • Tyler, TX • 903-592-9696

villamontez.com

Cork -Food & Drink-

Enjoy modern Euro-Asian cuisine. From our famous Shrimp Mezcal and Lamb Chops to the market fresh Sushi and Seafood. A unique casual dining restaurant with an extensive wine list, live music, hand crafted cocktails and fabulous dining. Brunch on Saturday & Sunday • We Cater!

5201 S. Broadway Avenue • Tyler, TX • 903- 363-9197

corktyler.com

Rick’s

Savor prime steaks, market-fresh seafood, house-made desserts and vintage wine. Enjoy premium cigars while watching the game on one of three 46-inch flat-screen TVs on our open-air patio. Our full menu is offered until closing and boasts over 40 items under $20. You’ll love our fresh halibut, mahi-mahi, sea bass, lump crab, oysters and calamari. Look to Rick’s for catering and over 20,000 sq. ft. of private meeting rooms for up to 200 guests. LCD projectors with screens, and free, secure wireless Internet are available.

104 W. Erwin • Tyler, TX • 903-531-2415 110 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

rix.com

Bruno’s Pizza & Pasta “Homemade Italian Food” • Dine In- Take Out Delivery • Full Service Catering • Parties- Banquet Facility- Special Events •Bring the whole Family or Two! Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm • Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm

NOW OPEN ON SUNDAYS! 11am-3pm 1400 S. Vine Ave. & 15770 FM 2493 Tyler, TX 903.595.1676 • 903.939.0002

brunospizzatyler.com

Bernard’s Bernard’s was invisioned as a getaway, where all East Texans could escape to and experience the great tastes of the Mediterranean. With that in mind, we have paid special attention to the relaxing atmoshpere and the extraordinary tastes you will experience at Bernard’s. Lunch 11am-2pm Tues.-Fri. • Dinner 5:30pm-10pm Mon.-Sat. Reservations are recommended.

212 Grande Blvd • Tyler, TX • 903-534-0265

bernardsintyler.com

Breakers “It’s crawfish season at Breakers. Come in and grab a pound of fresh, live, Louisiana crawfish piled high with corn and potatoes.” Breakers is now serving dinner until midnight. Thursday through Saturday from 9 to midnight come pick a live lobster from the tank for only $14.95; or grab some buffalo wings, boiled shrimp, burgers and more. Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-10p.m. | Thurs-Sat 11 a.m.-12 a.m. | Sun 11 a.m.-9p.m.

5016 Old Bullard Rd • Tyler, TX • 903- 534-0161

breakerstyler.com

“Red Fire Grille-Simply Genius” Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00–10:00 p.m. Reservations suggested. Best Chefs America 2013. Culinary Institute of America Alumnus. Located in the historic Redlands Inn

400 N Queen Street • Palestine, Texas • 903-723-2404

redfiregrille.com

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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The Dining Guide Jakes

Jakes Tyler Steaks & Seafood Rooftop Lounge is East Texas’ downtown dining destination. Imagine a romantic dinner for 2 watching the sunset over Tyler’s historic downtown square, happy hour drinks and appetizers after work, or on weekends dinner and drinks with friends listening to live music and no cover charge. Jakes Rooftop has something for everyone!

111 East Erwin Street • Tyler, TX 75702 • 903-526-0225

jakestyler.com

Sadler's

Since 1943, when Monk and Elizabeth Sadler purchased a drive-in restaurant in downtown Jacksonville, the Sadler name has been synonymous with great food and the finest burgers, steaks, seafood, pasta and homemade pies. Our full bar has your favorite wine, domestic and imported beers and premium liquors. We cater weddings, office luncheons, cocktail parties and special events. We have 2 banquet rooms for your private parties. Tues.-Fri. 11am-8pm • Sat. 5pm-Close

101 S. Bonner • Jacksonville, TX • 903-589-0866

sadlerscatering.com

Clear Springs Clear Springs Restaurant serves a variety of western specialties including delicious seafood, prime Angus hand-cut steaks, hearty burgers, homemade sauces and desserts. Don’t forget our World Famous Onion Rings! Happy hour 3-7 Monday through Thursday. It’s happy hour all day in the bar on Saturday and Sunday. Our store hours are 11am-9pm Sunday through Thursday and 11am to 10pm Friday and Saturday.

6519 South Broadway Tyler, TX • 903-561-0700

clearspringsrestaurant.com

Ribmaster's

“Try our NEW BEEF RIBS!” Visit us for the best tasting, fall off the bone, award winning ribs in East Texas. We also have smoked turkey, brisket, sausage, delicious sides and desserts. We have all you can eat on Friday’s and Saturday’s and be sure to ask about our “kids eat Free nights”. Let us cater your next event or party! Mention you saw us in the IN Magazine and get 5% off your order.

803A Hwy. 110 N Whithouse, TX 903-839-0530

112 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

9502 FM 773 Murchison, TX 903-469-3001

312 N. Houston St. Bullard, TX 903-894-5016

Extraordinary Moments Deserve Unforgettable Food...

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$4.49+Tax MON.-SAT.

We clean and restore military uniforms.

6205 South Broadway

903.534.1111 www.traditionstyler.com

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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HIGH Standards Young woman’s dream of becoming pilot taking flight.

By Jo Lee Ferguson | Photos by Danny Mogle

114 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

>> W

hen she was in high school, Whitney Brouwer gave her mother different kinds of problems to worry about than what many parents face. First, the Minnesota native worked in an airplane maintenance shop full of men. Then, in her senior year, she started taking flying lessons, sometimes leaving for lessons at 5:45 a.m., before the rest of her family was awake. “She wouldn’t sleep well (the night before one of my lessons),” Brouwer says. Mrs.

“She’s just dedicating her whole time schedule to becoming a pilot, which is pretty impressive.” Brouwer also didn’t want to know when her daughter was going to fly solo for the first time. Despite reasons to worry, her parents, Brent and Tracy Brouwer, were very supportive. They said, “just go for your dreams,” recalls Brouwer, a LeTourneau University junior majoring in aircraft systems. When she graduates, she’ll have a bachelor’s degree and certification as an airplane mechanic. Brouwer is sitting in the university’s Paul and Betty Abbott Aviation Center at the East Texas Regional Airport near Longview as she talks about methodically working to make her dream of being a pilot a reality. She obtained her private pilot’s license in 2010 and has an instrument rating that allows her to “fly in the clouds.” She is also earning her commercial pilot’s license. Brouwer’s dream of flying was rooted in another passion. “I had a heart for missions,” the 21-year-old says. “I always thought flying airplanes would be really cool.” She combines both of her loves by flying overseas as part of church mission work. She’s learned that some organizations hesitate to use female pilots because of the discriminatory way women are viewed in some parts of the world. She also has learned it is helpful as a pilot overseas to be able to work on planes. To begin learning airplane mechanics, Brouwer landed an aircraft maintenance internship at an airport near her hometown. She learned to change oil and wheel bearings. “That was pretty dirty (work),” she says, but without a grimace. “It was a big confidence booster.”

It was an “interesting dynamic,” she recalls, explaining that she was the only woman working there. She says she was “clueless,” but the men she worked with took her in and explained everything. “It was very encouraging how they were so patient with me,” she says That tends to be the case, says Becky Teerink, an aeronautical science professor at LeTourneau University. Federal Aviation Administration statistics show that only about 7 percent of pilots are women and about 2 percent of airplane mechanics are women, “I find it’s almost the princess effect, where you’re really taken care of, and almost treated better,” Teerink says of women in the male-dominated aviation profession. LeTourneau University is known for its aeronautical science program. About 240 students are involved in degree plans. Of those, 20 women are in the pilot training

program and 23 women are in the aircraft maintenance program, according to Teerink. Being at a Christian school helps the dynamic between men and women in the program, Brouwer says. The women have developed a good camaraderie with the men. Teerink plans group activities for students and expects them to support and encourage one another. Teerink and Brouwer joke that the women’s bathrooms at LeTourneau’s aviation center are possibly the only women’s bathrooms stocked with grease removal products along with the usual fare of soaps and lotions. “You can be up to your elbows in grease and still have a kind spirit,” Teerink says of the lessons she tries to teach her female students. She says Brouwer is a “joy” in class. She pays attention and works hard while displaying a sweet spirit and personality. “It’s the best of all the worlds,” Teerink says, smiling at Brouwer. Brouwer is set to graduate in May 2014. She hopes to work as a flight instructor. Earlier this year, Brouwer was torn about whether to use a financial boost she had received to pay for tuition or training to complete her commercial pilot’s license. Brouwer received $5,000 from Dianna Stanger and Victoria Holt, an air racing team known as the Racing Aces. The $5,000 they gave Brouwer was prize money they received for winning the 2012 Air Race Classic. “What was outstanding about Whitney is she’s working so hard to make her dream come true,” compliments Stanger, the owner of Calhoun Air Center and a Cessna flight school in Port Lavaca. “She’s just dedicating her whole time schedule to becoming a pilot, which is pretty impressive.”

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

115

Summertime Fun at The Victorian Year-round attractions and events on the Island are enjoyed by all. The new Galveston Historic Pleasure Pier, with roller coaster and other amusement park rides. Moody Gardens Tropical Rainforest and Aquarium pyramids. Schlitterbahn Galveston Water Park, indoor and outdoor water park. Historic homes to tour. Nature tours. Planes and trains museums. Stay at The Victorian in a spacious and comfortable condo suite. One bedroom condo, with bunk beds, sleeps 4 adults and 2 children, minimum two-night stay. Two nights (2) rates from $470.99 inclusive (room rate, fees and tax)

Ask about our weekly special (7 nights) from $1400.99 inclusive (room rate, fees and tax)

6300 Seawall • Galveston • TX • 855.251.8794

www.facebook.com/galvestonvictorian • victoriancondo.com • promo code ST2 and ST7

116 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Fast, Friendly Service Medicaid and all major insurances accepted. 16623-A FM 2493 • Tyler/Gresham • 903-561-2822

www.PinotsPalette.com/Tyler Use Code: PAINTPARTY for 15% off Girls Night Out Date Night Private Parties Corporate Events

“An unforgettable evening of fun, friends and fine art.” Bring your friends, wine and snacks, and we provide the paints and canvases! Leave with a masterpiece.

322 ESE Loop 323, Suite 156 Tyler, TX

PAINT. DRINK. HAVE FUN. May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

117

CALENDAR

20 MAY & JUNE: ONGOING

Tyler Museum of Art

Tyler Junior College, Wise Auditorium May 3-4, 7:30 p.m.

TJC’s DanceFest

UT Tyler Patriot Singers & University Chorale

www.tylermuseum.org

Kilgore College Spring Dance Concert

Paisanos of East Texas’ Celebration

The Anderson County Relay for Life Fundraiser

Longview Area Youth Symphony Orchestra

1300 S. Mahon Ave., Tyler, “Texas Impressionism” through May 26

Longview Museum of Fine Arts Show

KC’s Van Cliburn Auditorium. May 3, 8:00 p.m.

TJC's Center for Earth & Space Exploration

Benefiting the American Cancer Society 7:00 p.m., May 3-4, Westwood High School. www.relayforlifeandersoncotx.com

“Form Follows Function” through June 29. 215 E. Tyler St., Longview, TX. www.lmfa.org.   “Waking the T. Rex 3D: The Story of SUE” and the exhibit “Origins: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.”

www.tjc.edu/cesse

Discovery Science Place

Presents CineSphere 308 N. Broadway Ave., Tyler, TX www.discoveryscienceplace.org

MAY 3-5

“On Golden Pond”

Lindale Theater, May 3-4, 7:30 p.m. May 5, 2 p.m. 111 W. Van St., Lindale, TX. www.lindalecommunitytheater.com  MAY 3

A Salute to Mozart

MAY   May 1-5

The Choirs and Orchestras at Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, 7:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium.

Lone Star Horse Show

6:00 p.m. Tyler First Presbyterian Church, 230 Rusk St., Tyler, TX. 11:00 a.m. to midnight, Maude Cobb Center, Longview,TX.

Concert 2:00 p.m. Teague Park, Longview, TX

Annual City-Wide Gospel Show

Linden Music City Texas Theatre, 8:00 p.m. www.musiccitytexas.org

Princess Pampering Party  10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Glass Recreation Center, 501 W. 32nd St., Tyler. Cost: $15. 903-595-7271.

Golf Basics- Tyler Parks and Recreation’s Family Golf Clinic

10:00 a.m., Oak Hurst Golf Course in Bullard. Registration is required; Cost $15. Call 903-531-1214.

Texas Rose Horse Park, Texas Highway 110 at I-20, www.southboundshows.com

Free showing of Disney's "Brave"

MAY 2-5

Free showing of “The Thrill of it All”

Longview’s Heritage Plaza-begins at dark. Palestine’s Reagan Park- Begins at dark.

First Monday Trade Days Canton, TX

MAY 5

MAY 2

MAY 4-5

Cavender’s Boot City, 2025 WSW Loop 323, Tyler, from 5 to 9 p.m. www.tylercattlebarsonsgala.net

Top anglers compete for big cash prizes. Sponsored by KYKX and The Ranch, KKUS.

Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala Kickoff

Annual Big Bass Bonanza at Lake O’ The Pines’

Caddo Kennel Club AKC Dog Show

The Blue Man Group

UT Tyler’s Cowan Center, May 3, 8:30 p.m. May 4, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. www.cowancenter.org   118 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

www.tyleryouthorchestra.org   MAY 6

Susan G. Komen Dine Out for the Cure Fundraiser

Marshall City Arena, 3310 Poplar St., Marshall, TX. www.visitmarshalltexas.org

For participating Tyler restaurants see www.komentyler.org

MAY 4

MAY 7

An evening of Latin Rhythms and Jazz. 7:30 p.m. Caldwell Auditorium, 301 S. College Ave., Tyler. Tickets: 903-526-3876

Performs at 7:00 p.m. Kilgore College’s Dodson Auditorium. Tickets: 903-983-2834 or 903-984-7753.

Doc Severinsen & The San Miguel Five

MAY 3-4

Tyler Youth Orchestra's Annual Spring Concert

4:00 p.m., Tyler Junior College’s Wise Auditorium.

www.etso.org

Award-Winning Classical Musician, Prima Trio

IDEA Garden Series Lecture

“Blooms for Butterflies” Noon, Southeast corner of Tyler Rose Garden.

Highlighting Events across all of East Texas.

OF EVENTS

MAY 8

1940s USO-Style Hangar Dance

MAY 18

Susan Robinson Jewelry, 6009 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler,

www.treetexas.com

Goodman Museum, 624 N. Broadway Tyler, TX 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala Benefit www.tylercattlebaronsgala.net MAY 9-11

Rebels & Roses East Texas Music Festival Gator Run Off-Road Park, Tatum, TX www.rebelsandroses.com MAY 10-12

Annual Alley Fest Celebration

Downtown Longview, featuring art, music and kids’ events. www.visitlongviewtexas.com   MAY 10-12, 15-19

Tyler Civic Theatre

400 Rose Park Drive, Tyler, “Noises Of,” 7:30 p.m. daily and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. www.tylercivictheatre.com

“Jump, Jive & Wail” 6:00 p.m. Angelina County Airport, Lufkin

Texas State Railroad-Railfan Photographers

Special, allowing people to get photographed with a steam engine along the track. www.texasstaterr.com

Movie in the Park

May 15-19

9:00am-Noon

Texas Rose Horse Park, Texas Highway 110 at I-20, www.southboundshows.com

Movie in the Park

“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” 8:00 p.m. Bergfeld Park Amphitheater, Tyler, TX

Jumping Classic Hunter/Jumper Horse Show

Annual UT Tyler Patriot Hole in One Qualifying Rounds on campus. The finals take place May 19 at Hollytree Country Club. MAY 11

Tyler Civic Chorale Spring Gala

“Music of the Fabulous ‘50s,” 6:00 p.m. Holiday Inn, 5701 S. Broadway, Tyler. Tickets cost $25 and include dinner, dancing and concert. www.tylerchamberchorale.org

May 18 Lighten Up East Texas Celebration

Tyler FitCity Challenge, Rose Stadium, Tyler

“Dr. Seuss, the Lorax” 8:00 p.m. Bergfeld Park Amphitheater, Tyler. May 18 2nd Annual No Hungry Children Benefit Festival 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Bergfeld Park, Tyler, TX www.nhctyler.org

Lamp-Lite Theatre

MAY 11-18

Piney Woods Wine Festival

Mount Vernon, TX www.mountvernonchamber.com

MAY 10-12, 17-19

Nacogdoches, Comedy “Daddy’s Dying: Who’s Got the Will?” 7:30 p.m. daily and 2 p.m. Sundays. www.lamplitetheatre.org

Heritage Day-Civil War Re-enactors and Special Events

MAY 19

Lake Playhouse Symphonic Band May 16-18

The Lindale Championship Rodeo

7:00 p.m. Nightly, Lindale Rodeo Arena. MAY 17-19, 24-25

Cherokee Civic Theatre

“Dearly Beloved,” 7:30 p.m. daily and 2 p.m. Sundays. 157 W. 5th St., Rusk, TX

www.cherokeetheatre.net

2:00 p.m., Select Theater, 114 N. Johnson, Mineola. www.lakecountryplayhouse.com

Junior League of Tyler Spring Crawfish Brawl

4:00-7:00 p.m., Brown’s Landing. www.juniorleagueoftyler.com MAY 20

The UT Tyler’s Patriot Golf Classic Hollytree Country Club, Tyler, TX MAY 23

MAY 17

East Texas Symphonic Band

7:30 p.m., LeTourneau University’s Belcher Center. www.belchercenter.com

www.etsymphonicband.com

Susan G. Komen Tyler Race for the Cure,

MAY 18-19

MAY 24

www.komentyler.org

223 W. Austin St., Model railroad displays, train rides and a tour of the Jay Gould’s private railcar. www.jeffersonmuseum.com

Bull riders Competition, 7:30 p.m. Red River Horse Club Arena Paris, TX

Tyler’s Bergfeld Park.

Folk Festival at Heritage Park

Sulphur Springs. www.tourism.sulphurspringstx.org

Celtic Woman

Train Days-Jefferson Historical Museum

“Pops in the Park Concert”, 7:00 p.m. Longview’s Teague Park.

Red River Rodeo Show Down

CONT. ON PG. 112 >> May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

119

MAY/JUNE CALENDAR OF EVENTS >> CONT. FROM PG. 111 Acadian Cane Cutters at 7:15 p.m. www.pumpjacksbaseball.com

IDEA Garden Series Lecture

JUNE 20-23, 27-30

JUNE 5-8

7:30 p.m. daily (2:30 p.m. Sundays). 122 E. Main St., Henderson, TX www.hendersoncivictheater.com

Cowboys compete at 8:15 nightly

JUNE 21-22

www.apacheathletics.com

JUNE 7-8

www.tbonewalkerfest.com

The Cattle Barons’ Gala Boat Run Fundraiser

Two days of music and special events Overton City Park, Overton, TX www.overtonbluegrass.com

JUNE 27

MAY 25-26

Texas State Railroad Annual Memorial Day Armed Services Event  www.texasstaterr.com MAY 25

The National Junior College Division III World Series Tournament Mike Carter Field in Tyler.

“All Hands On Deck” , The Petroleum Club on Lake Tyler, Tyler, TX www.cattlebaronsgala.net

“Natives Beat the Heat”, Noon, Southeast corner of Tyler Rose Garden.

The Famous Gladewater Round-Up Rodeo www.gladewaterrodeo.com

Bluegrass & Gospel Music Festival

JUNE 8

Tyler Cattle Baron’s Gala

“Rigs to Riches: Drilling for a Cure” Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society at the Rio Neches Ranch.

www.cattlebaronsgala.net Tomato Fest

Jacksonville celebrates its tomato-growing heritage featuring arts, music and special events downtown.   MAY 30-June 2

First Monday Trades Day Canton, TX

MAY 31-JUNE 1

Texas Blueberry Festival

Don’t miss the blueberry pie baking and eating contests. Downtown Nacogdoches. www.texasblueberryfestival.com

Fiddler's on the Square

Classic Car Show & Crafts Fair

JUNE   JUNE 1-2

www.rrvhonkers.com

Fiddlers competition on the courthouse lawn Athens, TX. www.athensfiddlers.com

North Texas Hunter/Jumper Club Horse Show Texas Rose Horse Park,

Texas Highway 110 at I-20. www.texasrosehorsepark.com JUNE 1

Master Gardener’s Home Garden Tour

Red River Valley Honkers Antique Car Club, Love Civic Center, Paris, TX

Splash Day-Start of Swim Season

Noon to 8:00 p.m., Longview’s Swim Center and Ingram Pool. Admission is free.

Tyler’s Fun Forest Pool & Sprayground

ArtsView Children’s Theatre

900 N. Glenwood Blvd., & Woldert Swimming Pool, 701 W. 32nd St., open for the Summer swimming season.

“American Idle,” a teen production, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., 313 W. Tyler St., Longview, TX www.artsviewchildrenstheatre.com

Movie in the Park

JUNE 17

JUNE 4

Children learn about self-esteem and teamwork. 2:00 p.m., Mount Vernon Music Hall, 402 Leftwich St., Mount Vernon, TX

East Texas PumpJacks Baseball

Season Opener at Kilgore’s Driller Park Vs. the

120 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Linden Music City Texas Theatre, Linden, TX

Texas Shakespeare Festival

“A Comedy of Errors” at 7:30 p.m., Kilgore College’s Van Cliburn Auditorium Rotationg shows through July. www.texasshakespeare.com   JUNE 27-30

First Monday Trade Days Canton, TX June 28

FREE--Family Fireworks Show!

Gate Opens at 6:00pm, Fireworks at dark. Jump houses, food, and live music. First Baptist Church-South Campus 17002 Highway 69 South,Tyler, TX 75703 903.839.5333, www.fbctyler.org/sc JUNE 29

Northeast Texas Symphony Orchestra and Northeast Texas Choral Society

7:45 p.m. Downtown Sulphur Springs followed by a fireworks show. www.sulphurspringssymphonyleague.org

4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Civic Center, Sulphur Springs, TX www.visitsulphurspringstx.org

The Kingsmen Quartet in Concert

Classic movie “Double Wedding” Begins at dark in Palestine’s Reagan Park.

Annual T-Bone Walker Blues Fest

Homemade Ice Cream Freeze-Off

Self-guided tour through four home gardens in Smith County

www.scmg.tamu.edu

“Grease!”-Henderson Civic Theatre

6:00 p.m. Texas Gospel Music Hall, Athens, TX

www.texas-gospelmusichall.com

“Leopold the Frog,”

www.mountvernonmusic.org

Want your event on our calendar? email the details to info@inmagtexas.com

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family

friendly shreveport

bossier city

Story and Photos by Jennifer Babisak

When it comes to a family-friendly weekend getaway, I had never considered crossing the state line to Shreveport-Bossier City. After all, I thought of the destination, with its posh casinos and plethora of drive-thru daiquiri shops, as a hotspot for adults-only entertainment. A recent getaway with my three kids revealed Shreveport-Bossier City’s family-friendly side. We found kid-friendly attractions, world-class museums and acclaimed restaurants. Upon arriving, we headed to the Louisiana Boardwalk — the sprawling retail development along the Red River. The picturesque setting, illuminated by strands of hanging lights and dotted with graceful fountains, offers kidfriendly perks, such as the Louisiana Wildlife Carousel and the Magnolia Belle Trolley. Window-shopping at the Banana Republic Factory Store, Nine West Outlet and other stores left us hungry, so we headed to one of the Boardwalk’s finest restaurants, Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro. Decorated in an upscale coastal theme with starfish mosaics and shell sculptures, the restaurant offers sumptuous entrees, ranging from pastas to hand-battered seafood. We started our restless toddlers with complimentary “baby plates”— fruit and bread arranged in the shape of a smiley face. The rest of us chowed down on the Spicy Fried Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich, a peanut vinaigrette drizzled Thai Chicken Wrap, and, of course, decadent servings of Copeland’s famous cheesecake (the kids swooned over the cookies and cream version; the adults preferred the strawberry and tuxedo varieties). That night, we retired to our elegant suite at The Homewood Suites by Hilton. The new, dual-concept hotel shares administrative space with a connected Hilton Garden Inn. Our suite, decorated in a modern scheme of chocolate and gold, had a bedroom with king bed, living room with sleeper sofa and full kitchen. We enjoyed complimentary hot chocolate in the evening and a complimentary breakfast with eggs, scones and yogurt. A pool, fitness room, and putting green offer plenty of opportunities for recreation. The next morning, my little sports-loving son and I visited the Ark-La-Tex Sports Museum of Champions located in the lobby of the Shreveport Convention Center. The museum recognizes more than 100 distinguished 122 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

c The family-friendly side of Shreveport-Bossier City includes: a. Attractions along the Red River; b. Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro; c. Strawn’s Eat Shop; d. Sci-Port, a science center with activities for children; and e. shopping at the Louisiana Boardwalk.

area athletes, including football great Terry Bradshaw and golfer Hal Sutton. We saw everything from football jerseys to champion riding saddles. My son gushed over items from his favorite teams. Just down the street, we entered the world of SciPort: Louisiana’s Science Center. The 92,000-squarefoot educational center boasts almost 300 exhibits, an IMAX, planetarium, gift shop and cafe. We made our way through the Nature Lab, a light-filled space dominated by floor-to-ceiling windows that allow picturesque views of trains crossing the Red River. A replica riverboat pays homage to Shreveport’s history as a major hub of steamboat commerce. The replica, called the Archimedes, allows kids to turn the paddle wheel and pull its whistle. Nearby, a water play feature teaches kids about locks and dams as they send toy boats downriver. In an adjacent room, we saw a group of youngsters assembling hundreds of dominoes, only to knock them down in a thrilling chain reaction. We took turns lying on a bed of 3,000 nails, which demonstrated that distributing the weight over a large area prevents the nails from piercing our skin. The kids were fascinated by a whirling tornado in a jar and a “Pump Yourself Up” chair that sent them soaring into the air via a hydraulic cylinder.

"With that tasty impression lingering on our lips, we wondered why we’d waited so long to explore the family side of Shreveport."

In The Space Center exhibit, we walked through a mesmerizing tunnel that simulates a space walk by immersing visitors in 360 degrees of star-dappled darkness. Our space walk led to the Space Dome planetarium where we watched a short film starring Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo. The duo makes a trip to the moon, educating us about constellations along the way. Outside the planetarium, a sailboat gave the kids the opportunity to hop on board and practice celestial navigation. We grabbed a snack at Sci Port’s cafe, Counter Culture. We split a Humphrey Yogurt, which delivered the right balance of tangy frozen yogurt mixed with fresh fruit, granola, and a drizzle of honey. The kids scraped the last bits of the gooey confection into their mouths as we moved to more adventure. A few minutes away, we found the Ark-La-Tex Mardi Gras Museum. Home to the second largest collection of Mardi Gras royalty costumes in the world, the museum focuses on the Mardi Gras experience of North Louisiana. The kids gasped in wonder as we looked at the dozens of Mardi Gras floats outside the museum. Fashioned to resemble famous cartoon characters and celebrities such as Fred Flintstone and John Wayne, the larger-than-life floats entertain even when removed from the revelry of a Mardi Gras parade. Before heading home, we stopped at the famous Strawn’s Eat Shop and indulged in down-home cooking — cheeseburgers, meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, and grilled cheese. Of course, these savory bites were only a prelude to the real star: Strawn’s famous pie. We sampled the chocolate cream and coconut, but really raved about the strawberry pie. Biting into the juicy berries topped with a cloud of whipped cream, we understood why the dessert has been featured in Southern Living six times. With that tasty impression lingering on our lips, we wondered why we’d waited so long to explore the family side of Shreveport.

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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124 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

outdoors

OUTDOORS

> Texas State Parks Camping, 130 > Navigating the Neches, 136

sports

Tough Mudder Challenge. Courtesy Photo.

> Tough Mudder, 126

May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

125

Tough MUDDER By Danny Mogle | Courtesy Photos

126 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

"I do not whine ...kids whine." -TOUGH MUDDER MOTTO

need to apologize to Wade Frazier. During an interview for this story I called him “crazy.” I should not have and I’m truly sorry. But I had a good reason. He pays money to be put through what many people would call torture and he likes it, a lot. See, he’s crazy. Frazier is part of a growing legion of Tough Mudders, diehards who push their mental and physical limits to conquer a crosscountry obstacle course the devil himself might conjure up and then sit back and laugh. | CONTINUED ON PAGE 129 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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128 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

MUDDER NATION

Cont. from page 127 | Tough Mudder is the brainchild of Will Dean, a former British Special Forces counter-terrorism specialist who combined distance running with the tough-as-nails challenges the British military put him through to toughen his body, mind and internal fortitude. It takes only a few seconds of viewing the Tough Mudder video on its website to know whether this is for you. The video begins with a mean-looking dude staring menacingly into the camera as if he’s psyching himself up to yank the whiskers off a lion. Then you hear a voice: “For those haters out there who tell us we can’t achieve goals, you are the ones who step up and you get it done.” The speaker (envision a motivation leader with the spunk of a drill sergeant) is whipping a hyped-up crowd of mostly men into a testosterone frenzy before a challenge. “This is going to take all you got of what you brought and if you brought it, give me a hoorah!” he screams into the microphone. Like a tribe preparing to go into battle, the crowd shouts back a booming, “hoorah!” “It’s going to test your fitness today! Hoorah!” “Hoorah!” they reply. “It’ll test your stamina! Hoorah!” “Hoorah!” “Toughness! Hoorah!” “Hoorah!” “…You got mental grit, give me a loud Hoorah! “Hoorah!!!” Next it shows amazingly fit men and women climbing ropes, traversing monkey bars, pulling over sky-high barriers and crawling stomach down through trenches oozing with muck and mud. Muscles straining and faces grimacing, some look like they are about to throw up or beg for mercy. This is not for the weak, doubtful or faint of heart. Or, for that matter, those who don’t like to be shocked, cut or scraped; or who are in any way squeamish about being entombed from head to toe in thick, gooey mud. Tough Mudder is famous for its twisted obstacles. Take the Boa Constrictor for instance. It forces “mudders” to crawl through long pipes partially filled with disgustingly dirty water, drop under barbed wire into pit of freezing mud and then scramble up a long and slippery slope. At Everest, “mudders” must get over a towering half-pipe wall. The best hope is to run, leap and hope someone on top of the wall is able to grab and hold onto your mud covered arms. Traditionally the final obstacle is a sa-

Left Page and Top: Tough Mudder challengers take on the course’s famously difficult obstacles involving team effort and plenty of mud and muck.

distic thing called Electroshock Therapy. “Mudders” must make their way through dangling live electrical wires. Some try to bob and weave (typically unsuccessfully) around the wires to avoid being shocked; others barrel through as fast as they can. Tough Mudder boasts that it is “Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet.” No arguments here.

MEET THE MUDDERS

“It’s not really as bad as you might think,” says Frazier, who took part in two Tough Mudders last year, including one with his wife, Vickie. I’m not sure I believe him. “It’s definitely an endurance challenge but the fun part is that it’s also a physical and mental challenge,” he continues. Frazier, a 37-year-old father of four from Lindale, says that more than anything, Tough Mudder is a gigantic group effort. “It’s really not a race as much as a team challenge,” continues Frazier, perhaps sensing that I am still not convinced. “Everyone is in it to help everyone else.” At an event last year, Frazier and his fellow “mudders” had no choice but to work together to climb a slippery embankment. “When you got to the hill there were like 40 or 50 at the bottom and everyone was pushing or pulling the next person up. People help you and then you turn around and find someone to help.” Frazier stays in shape at CrossFit Tyler by doing exercises, such as pull-ups and squats, in intense, rapid bursts. Used to testing his physical limits, Tough Mudder was a challenge he couldn’t resist. “I knew I would be able to do it, I just didn’t know I well I would be able to do it.” Corbin Hodge, 34, of Tyler, completed his first Mudder last year. He was part of a group that included his wife, Jamie, and her co-workers.

“It’s about everyone getting it done together and helping everyone in your group get across (the finish line),” says Hodge. “Everybody is there to help you get through it.” Hodge says some of the toughest obstacles are more mental than physical. “In the ice tank, you’re chest deep in muddy water. All these ice cubs are floating on top. And then you’ve got to duck under the water. It (the cold) catches you off guard. … It freaks you out a little bit.” What I really want to know is what it feels like to run through the live electrical wires. Frazier: “It (the shock) takes your breath away.” Hodge: “It hurt way more than I expected.”

THE CAUSE

A portion of money raised at Tough Mudder events is donated to the Wounded Warrior Project to help military personnel who return from service with injuries and/or challenges from combat related stress. About $5 million have been raised by Tough Mudder participants to fund counseling, combat stress and recovery programs, adaptive sports programs, counseling and employment services.

MASTERING MUDDER

There’s nothing like mastering a Mudder. Frazier says Tough Mudder brings “moments of joy and misery” and a “high” knowing that you’ve just accomplished something most people will never do. Physically and mentally spent Hodge says he felt a huge adrenalin rush when he saw the finish line. “Near the end, everybody is cheering you on. … When you finally finish, you’re super happy and pumped at the same time. “You feel like you can do anything.” May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

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Camping Texas State Parks

Story and Photos by Steve Knight

s sites of Native American campsites, the earliest footprints of Europeans in Texas, Civil War veterans’ graves and remnants of the work during the Great Depression, Texas’ state parks preserve history. They are also outdoor recreational wonderlands with swimming and fishing holes; trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding; and activities such as geocaching and star watch parties. They are getaways from the city with enough amenities that roughing it, isn’t really that rough. In the 1920s, Gov. Pat Neff, an avid traveler by automobile, envisioned a park system of overnight camping sites. Neff convinced the legislature that Texas needed state parks but he couldn’t convince it to fund them so Neff and Park Board Chairman David Colp, a San

130 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

Antonio car dealer, then convinced Texans to donate land. One of the first donors was the governor’s mother, Isabella Neff. She gave land along the Leon River in McLennan County that became Mother Neff State Park. State funding didn’t come until a single $25,000 emergency appropriation by Gov. Miriam Ferguson in 1934 and only because the federal government had threatened to pull money earmarked for 26 parks projects by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Today the system includes 95 state parks, eight natural areas, eight historic sites and five state park/ historic sites covering 627,360 acres. The parks attract 8 million visitors annually. Almost 2.2 million come, as Neff envisioned, and stay overnight. In East Texas, 11 state parks offer a variety of scenery and activities.

TYLER STATE PARK

When work began on Tyler State Park in 1939, its 985 acres were badly damaged by soil erosion. It took four years to develop the park. Today, visitors are drawn to its 65-acre lake and bicycle and hiking trails. The park was originally designed only for day use. Campsites weren’t developed until the 1960s. Now the 175 camping sites include cabins, screened shelters and places for tents and campers. About half of the 150,000 annual visitors are day visitors from within 50 miles of Tyler. Three-quarters of overnight campers come from outside the area. The park was built by Civilian Conservation Corps laborers. Visible projects are the bathhouse, concession stand, boathouse and lake. Less visible are boulders that were hauled to form culverts, dams and coffers to prevent soil erosion and an abandoned youth wading pool behind the headquarters. In the 1950s and ’60s, the park was popular with a young crowd that came to weekend dances. Today, the 11 miles of bike and hike trails developed in the late 1990s by Tyler Bicycle Club is a big draw. The lake is popular as a winter fishery for rainbow trout stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and a spring fishery for largemouth bass.

2013 CAMPING GUIDE into nine cabins and a group recreation facility. The park also has eight screened shelters, 36 trailer sites and 20 tent sites. The property is shaded by pines, oaks and sweet gum trees. Trails lead to Black Cypress Bayou, where visitors are greeted by the famed cypress trees. The park attracts about 55,000 visitors annually, including many from the DallasFort Worth area. Since Caddo Lake was designated in 1993 as a Wetlands of International Importance site, the park has attracted visitors from around the world. Development of the adjacent Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge should bring more visitors. The refuge is being created from 8,500 acres of what had been the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant. A boat is needed to really see the cypresses of the lake and many marinas offer tours. Winter is an especially good time for photography on the lake because in their dormant state, cypresses and Spanish moss become a monotone landscape.

DAINGERFIELD STATE PARK CADDO LAKE PARK

Caddo Lake State Park is an integral part of a unique landscape. The appearance changes with each season and its flora, fauna and wildlife is like nothing else in the state. Caddo, at 163 acres, was developed from land donated by, among others, Karnack businessman T.J. Taylor, the father of former first lady Lady Bird Johnson. The CCC projects include a barracks and mess hall that have been transformed

In the fall when the leaves are colorful, Daingerfield State Park is a photographer’s dream. Carved from 500 donated acres in Morris County, the park features CCC buildings in a natural setting. The park was completed in 1938 and underwent a $5 million renovation in 2010. Its main feature is one of its oldest, an 80-acre lake. The lake attracts visitors who swim, fish or just sit and gaze at the trees that frame it like a picture. Although the park only has 52 campsites, it attracts 50,000 visitors a year-

RESERVOIR PARKS

Martin Creek Lake, Lake Bob Sandlin, Lake Tawakoni, Cooper and Atlanta state parks are all built adjacent to major reservoirs. Located in Rusk County, 286-acre Martin Creek Lake SP attracts almost 50,000 visitors annually. The park is near Trammel’s Trace, an old Indian trail used by settlers. It is adjacent to Harmony Hill, a farm community that thrived during the Civil War years and then faltered when a railroad went through Tatum three miles away. The town disappeared after being struck by a tornado in 1906. The park is the only public access to the lake. The proximity of plant to park creates an odd juxtaposition of nature and industry.

BOB SANDLIN

Lake Bob Sandlin SP is all about fishing but has a rich historical background as well. The 640-acre lake is located where Cherokee Trace road crossed Big Cypress Bayou going into what is today Titus County. Blazed in the 1820s, the road was a trail leading from near Nacogdoches north into Arkansas. More than 150 years ago, the site was in the home range of Caddo Indians. The park attracts about 50,000 visitors a year and has 75 campsites, 12 screened shelters and eight enclosed shelters. Bob Sandlin SP also teems with history, although most is hidden and still to be discovered. Indian sites aren’t marked because of concerns of looting. The U.S. Calvary’s Fort Sherman is believed to have existed there, but researchers have never discovered its remains. Near the boat ramp, a cemetery holds the grave of J.F. Coston, a Confederate veteran who reportedly survived 14 battles including Manassas, Antietam, The Wilderness and Gettysburg. | Cont. on page 134

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campsites to roam.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Costs: Day-use visitors 13 and over pay a daily entrance fee of $3 to $5. A Texas State Park Pass for $70 includes entry to all state parks and includes daily admission for everyone in a vehicle. Camping fees range from $6 to $26 per night. Cabin and lodge fees range from $50 to $225. Reservations: Reservations are not required, but are recommended, especially on and around holidays and weekends. Call the statewide reservation system at 512.389.8900 or go online at http://texas. reserveworld.com. Guide: Get a State Park Guide from area parks or view online at http://trendmag2. trendoffset.com/

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LAKE TAWAKONI

Cont. From page 131 | Just 11 years old, Lake Tawakoni SP attracts 71,000 visitors annually. The 376-acre park sits on the southern shore of Lake Tawakoni, one of the best reservoirs for catfish, white bass, striped bass and hybrid striped bass. The park offers nature programs, hiking trails and 40 picnic sites. The 78 multi-use campsites and a group area that holds up to 35.

PURTIS CREEK

The focus of the 1,200-acre Purtis State Park in Henderson and Van Zandt counties is its 355-acre lake â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a visitor magnet. The park attracts 61,000 visitors annually. Designed as a trophy bass fishery, the lake is also a good spot for crappie fishing and popular with traditional tackle anglers and fly fishermen. A winter catfish fishery attracts a crowd that fishes the lake at night. The park has 59 campsites and reservations are recommended. It is popular with visitors looking for a place to fish. There is a swimming area and paddle boat, canoe and kayak rentals.

COOPER & MARTIN CREEK LAKES

Cooper Lake SP consists of South Sulphur, a 2,310-acre park in Hopkins County and Doctors Creek, a 715-acre site across Cooper Lake in Delta County. With boat ramps, fishing piers and a swim area, the lake is the focus. It is the only park in Northeast Texas set up for horseback riding and has 15 miles of trails and a special campsite for those who bring horses. It also has hiking and biking trails, campsites, and 14 cabins that overlook the lake. Fairfield Lake State Park is on a 1,400acre lake and has been in the park system since 1976. It has 181 campsites. Fairfield Lake is known for its inland redfish fishery and a tilapia fishery, popular with bow fishermen. In recent years, the lake has been plagued with low oxygen and fishing has fallen off.

ATLANTA

Located on Lake Wright Patman, Atlanta State Park may be the most underutilized park in the area. Attracting only 25,000 visitors annually, the 1,500-acre park always has room for visitors at its 66

MISSION TEJAS

Mission Tejas State Park is all about history. The 363-acre park is on the El Camino Real, Texas Highway 21, and contains a portion of the Old San Antonio Road used by Spanish explorers and founders of Texas such as Moses Austin, the father of Stephen F. Austin. The land was purchased by the people of Houston County in 1934 to mark the site of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, the first of several missions to the Nabedache Caddo tribes. The site was developed by the CCC and operated by the Texas Forest Service as Mission State Forest. In 1957, TFS turned it over to the Texas State Parks Board, the predecessor of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Among the CCC projects is an interpretation of the original mission that was located less than a mile from the park headquarters. It is believed the floor stones for the reconstructed building came from the original. Located across from the Davy Crockett National Forest, Mission Tejas has 17 campsites and one group site. It attracts almost 12,000 visitors a year.

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135

Navigating the Neches The Neches flows through the heart of pristine woodlands and a nature lover's paradise. Story and Photos By Danny Mogle

On this Sunday morning, the Neches is on her best behavior. Its level is just high enough for canoes to easily glide over the submerged trees that fall into the soupy, brown water. In fact, everything is just about perfect. The temperature is in the lower 50s, it is slightly breezy and the sky is a brilliant deep blue — the type of weather that paddlers pray for. My 19-year-old son, Alexander, and I are about to take our first canoe trip on the Neches. In recent years this river that twists and turns through one of the nation’s most pristine hardwood forests has been the focus of a battle. I want to see what the fuss is all about. Why are people so passionate about preserving the Neches? Our guides are Kim Zemer, president of Neches River Runners, a nonprofit group that stages the Neches River Wilderness Canoe Race; Dr. Michael Banks, a driving force behind Friends of the Neches, the nonprofit group that has fought to stop efforts to dam the river; Steve Wilson, who takes part in canoe races on the river; and experienced river runners Marvin and Charles “Wolf” Parker, bearded brothers who look as if they belong in an episode of the TV show “Duck Dynasty.” As I climb into a seat in the long and thin canoe, Wolf assures me that it is difficult to tip a canoe over. I’m convinced that if there is a way to do it, I’ll find it. For the next few hours we will be paddling down a seven-mile stretch of the river ending at the

136 May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

bridge on Highway 79, near Jacksonville. The Neches begins as an unassuming stream just of east of Colfax in Van Zandt County and gradually widens and deepens as it continues southeast for 416 miles to Sabine Lake on the outskirts of Port Arthur. Lake Palestine in Anderson County and B.A. Steinhagen Lake farther to the south are located on the Neches.

LIFE ON THE RIVER

Just minutes after getting on the river, it feels as if we’ve slipped back in time into a primeval forest. Towering hardwoods hug the sandy banks. Loblolly pines stand shoulder to shoulder with oaks, elms, cottonwoods and dogwoods. “Danny, see that,” shouts Dr. Banks,

pointing to a bird skimming the surface. “That’s a kingfisher. He’ll be our guide.” On cue, the kingfisher darts ahead and then flies up beckoning us to follow. I spy something ahead of us. The creature climbs onto a branch in the water, pops its head up and looks us over. “What’s that?” I call out. “I think it’s an otter.” “Yeh, it’s an otter, you don’t see that a lot,” says Wolf from the back of the canoe, before the otter dives and disappears. Wolf tells me he often sees wildlife while he’s on the river, especially when it is warmer. He’s paddled various stretches of the Neches about 50 times. “Those are tracks left by beavers,” says Wolf pointing to marks on the bank. “You can see where they dragged their tails in the sand as they came out of the water.” As we round one of the sharp bends in the river, Wolf points to the water’s edge. “I once came across a bunch of wild hogs over there.” “What about turtles?” I ask later. “I thought we would see more turtles?” “It’s too cold. In the spring these logs will be covered with turtles.” Wolf says it is not uncommon to come across snakes. “People ask me if they ever get in the canoe with me,” says Wolf in a slow deliberate speech that again reminds me of Uncle Si on “Duck Dynasty.” “Sometimes they do. I just use my paddle to lift them out. They don’t want to be in here with me any more than I want them in here.”

PRESERVING THE NECHES

Not long ago, many feared we could lose the upper Neches. To meet longterm water needs, the city of Dallas proposed damming the river to create a new reservoir called Lake Fastrill. The reservoir would have submerged thousands of acres in the upper Neches River watershed. Conservationists were outraged. In broadcast and published statements, Richard Donavan, director of the Texas Conservation Alliance, argued that the Neches was an environmental and historical treasure worth fighting for: “The Neches is the only river left in the state of Texas that is unfettered and looked like it did in most cases … when Davy Crockett swam his horses across it.” The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wanted to preserve the watershed as an irreplaceable habitat for wildlife, songbirds and migratory waterfowl. In 2006, the agency announced plans to establish a wildlife refuge near Jacksonville that could eventually include tens of thousands of acres. If the refuge was created, there would be no flooding of the watershed, there

would be no Lake Fastrill and Dallas would have to look elsewhere for a new source of water. Dallas and the Texas Water Development Board fought back by suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After years of legal wrangling, a federal judge ruled in favor of the refuge. The losers appealed. In 2010, the Supreme Court chose not to hear the case and the lower court’s decision stood. The message was now loud and clear: the Neches had to be preserved because of its role in sustaining the ecosystem of the watershed. During a gathering held last October to celebrate the creation of the refuge, Dr. Banks, a dentist who owns land on the river, was jubilant. “The Neches River National Wildlife Refuge has been a dream for many of us for a long time and now this refuge is a reality,” he was quoted in newspaper coverage. “This is a wonderful asset to our region. There’s no place on earth like the Neches River.” On this day, Banks says the best thing that can happen to the Neches is for everyone to leave it alone. “Let Mother Nature do what she is supposed to do. It’s humans who mess up Mother Nature.”

ON THE WATER

There’s a science to navigating the Neches. If you make poor choices, you will end up hung up on a log or pulling yourself out of the water. Wolf knows all the tricks. “To the left, to the left,” he instructs me. Ahead a huge tree is lying across the width of the river. It looks to me as if the river is blocked but Wolf knows better. There’s a small sliver of an opening against the left bank just wide enough for the canoe to slip through. Wolf says he can remember how to get through most of the problem spots. When he can’t remember, he looks for markings indicating where the trees in the water have been cut to create openings. He keeps his eye out for ripples that indicate stumps or limbs are just below

the surface. The Neches is a river of contrasts. In some places it is wide and calm and unhindered. Other places it pinches to narrow openings as it twists and turns. In other places it becomes clogged by the hardwoods that tumble into the water from steep sandy banks that over time wash away. What doesn’t change is the color of the water. It is a deep chocolate brown caused by the silt and sand that constantly washes into it.

NEW UNDERSTANDING

The Neches moves along at a leisurely but steady pace like a wise grandfather who knows there’s no need to hurry through life. It forces you to slow down and enjoy the moment. Wolf and I went for periods without saying anything. The water gently splashed as the paddles dipped in and the wind rustled through the trees. But there were no sounds of traffic, or television or cell phones. It was peaceful and it gave me the blessing of forgetting about the world beyond the hardwoods around us. Wolf shares a story that makes me wonder what is watching over the river. He says a woman pulled her canoe onto an embankment and came face to face with a ghostly figure of an Indian. He says years later another river runner had virtually the same experience. I am relieved to see the bridge on Highway 79 marking the end of the canoe trip. I wouldn’t admit it but my shoulder was sore from the paddling and I didn’t want to push my luck about tipping the canoe. On the bank we posed for photos. It was a great experience and I am glad I was able to share it with my new friends and my son. “See why we want to preserve the Neches,” asks Dr. Banks? “Yes, I do,” I reply. “Yes I do.” Left Page: Charles “Wolf” Parker” keeps a close watch for obstacles while paddling down the Neches River. Top: Steve Wilson, says he feels at peace while on the river. May/June 2013 | INMagTexas.com

137

spirituality

A Miraculous

Creation By Jim Laws | Courtesy Photo

PSALM 104

is a beautiful song, which represents the world as the miraculous creation of God. It’s a wonderful corroboration of the Genesis account of the beginning. The events of the Genesis do not follow a strict chronology or a literal description. The verses are cast in poetic form that review the awesome, creative work of God, a good portion of which we still do not understand. Notice the first two verses: “Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, who cover yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens, like a curtain.” With recent discoveries using high-tech instruments, such as telescopes and particle colliders, scientists have been able to envision the beginning of the cosmos as an event when space, matter and time erupted from nothingness. If we could have been there to record it, scientists say we would have seen something much like what the psalmist describes here. The heavens completely filled and wrapped in energy and light, as newly created matter hurled off to its appointed destiny. Verses 3-9 parallel Genesis 1:2-10, which describes The Creator as the master over the earth.

Jim Laws is the minister at Broadway Church of Christ in Tyler. Raised in Murfreesboro, Tenn., he received an undergraduate degree from Lipscomb University, a master’s in theology from Harding University, a doctorate in Bible from Tennessee Bible College and a law degree from Concord Law School of Kaplan University. His interests include philosophy and philosophic history as it relates to God and His existence.

He rides the clouds and is “walking on the winds.” He makes messengers, his angels, a flaming fire. He takes the earth, he transforms it. He brings order out of chaos. God covers the land with water, but referring to the terrestrial seas he (psalmist) says: At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder they hastened away. They went up over the mountains; they went down to the valleys, to the place which You founded for them. Verses 10-18 tell of the water nourishing the land (the rain is not even a chance event). He provided the grasses, trees and vegetation to nourish and sustain humans and their animal companions. Verse 19 points to Day Four of the creation, when the moon and sun take their proper places, serving as governors and points of reference for days and seasons. By God’s design the earth is regulated by rhythms and cycles. The lions hunt for the prey God provides for them at night, though man labors in the day and rests in the evening (verses 20-22). The psalmist turns to the fifth and sixth day of creation in verses 24-30. God fills the seas with creatures, both great and small. The writer uses the Hebrew word “bara,” meaning to create, which shows life exists because of God’s creation. God created life; he also sustains it. The psalm draws to a close by sounding God’s praise and glory. “May the glory of the Lord endure forever. May the Lord rejoice in His works. He looks on the earth and it trembles. He touches the hills and they smoke.”

May we learn more of this marvelous creation and learn to praise the one behind it all.